A soldier's daughter : and other stories
Transcript of A soldier's daughter : and other stories
A Soldier's Daughter
AND OTHER STORIES
BY
G. A. HENTYAuthor of "With Buller in Natal" "The Lion of St. Mark'
"The Young Carthaginian" "In Freedom's Cause" <fec.
ILLUSTRATED BY FRANCES EWAN
BLACKIE AND SON LIMITEDLONDON GLASGOW DUBLIN BOMBAY
1906
Stack
Annex'
:
H3
CONTENTS
A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER:
Chap. PageI. A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 7
II. ATTACKED 20
HI. HARD PRESSED 34
IV. PRISONERS 48
V. ESCAPED 62
VI. ROUGH TRAVELLING 75
VII. A SKIRMISH 90
VIII. DARLINGER AGAIN 104
HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM TOOKGOLDSTEIN 115
A RAID BY THE BLACKS . 171
ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
SHE STOOD ADMIRING HERSELF FOR A LONG TIME"FrOHtis. 58
"I WISH I HAD BEEN A BOY INSTEAD OF A GIRL," NlTA SAID . 9
" SHE SUDDENLY SAT DOWN ON THE NEXT BED, FAINT AND SICK"
30
" NlTA HAD ONE SHOT LEFT IN HER REVOLVER, AND SHE
DIRECTED THIS AGAINST HER FOREHEAD"
51
THE ESCAPE FROM THE CASTLE 156
EFFIE GIVES THE ALARM 192
6
A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
CHAPTER I
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION
ONthe North-West frontier of India stood the
little fort of Darlinger. It had been erected
two years previous to the opening of this story, and
was occupied by three companies of a Punjaubi
regiment under the command of Major Ackworth.
It was intended to act as a check to the incursions
of the fierce tribes across the frontier. One of
these raids had recently been made, and the majorwas about to start with two and a half companiesand two field-guns to punish the invaders. He was
a strict officer but not unpopular, being very par-
ticular about the comfort and well-being of those
under his command; in other respects, however, he
was a silent and reserved man. He had lost his
wife a year before, and this had completely broken
him down; the only being he seemed now to care
for was his daughter Nita. Nita's mother had
7
8 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
intended to return to England with her daughter
just before death put an end to the plan.
The major talked often of the necessity of send-
ing Nita home, but so far it had only been talk.
"I have quite made up my mind at last, Nita,
when I return from this expedition, to pack youoff to your uncle in England; you are getting a
great deal too old to be knocking about in a bar-
rack-yard, and there are no ladies here who would
keep you up to the mark. I know that you are a
favourite with all the officers, but that only makes
matters worse. You have been a regular tomboyfor the last five years, and it is quite time that youwere taught to behave as a young lady."
"I can behave like that now when I like, father,
and I am sure I don't want to grow up a young-
lady like the colonel's two daughters, who used to
walk about as if their feet were pinched up in
wooden shoes, and simper and smirk whenever
anyone spoke to them. Then there was Captain
Mann's wife, who seemed to think of nothing but
dress, and expected to be waited on by all the
officers."
" That is all very well," the major said."I admit
that they were not favourable specimens of their
sex, and I by no means advise you to take them
as models; you know well enough that I should
not be sending you home to England unless I was
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 9
absolutely convinced of the necessity for so doing.
I shall miss you very sorely, and shall count the
days till, in three years' time, I shall take my leave
and come home to you, to bring you out again whenI return. You must admit yourself that your ac-
complishments are not strictly feminine in their
character. You are as good a shot as there is in
the regiment both with rifle and revolver, youcan fence very fairly, you have a very good idea
of cricket, but you know nothing of music."
"Well, father, you know you have said manytimes that you don't like musical women."
"No, I am not fond of them, though I like a
woman who can play an accompaniment to a goodold English, Scotch, or Irish song; but as for a
woman who is always strumming on a piano, I think
that she is a bore of the worst kind, so we won't saymuch about the music. Then you could not makea garment for yourself to save your life, and there
is no more necessary accomplishment on the frontier
than for a woman to be able to make her ownclothes. You can cook very decently, I admit; but
as for anything else you know no more than a child
of ten. I am afraid that your uncle will be sadlyshocked at your ignorance of everything exceptbarrack life."
"I wish I had been a boy instead of a girl," Nita
said.
10 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
"I rather wish so too, Nita; but as a boy,
you would have been obliged to go home and
work desperately hard to get a commission. No, I
think you had better be contented with matters as
they are, and if we can't turn you out a soldier we
can, at least, make a lady of you."
Nita made a little grimace which showed that
the prospect did not delight her." What is the
use," she said,"of my being able to hit the ace of
diamonds ten times following at twelve paces?""It is not impossible that it may be of use if you
come out here again. It is more than probable that
you will be a soldier's wife, and in a country such
as this, it is by no means unlikely that your skill
with a pistol may be of use to you. You re-
member in the mutiny how women fought at the
side of their husbands. There has been more than
one massacre since we have been here, and such an
event might occur again. At the present moment
the tribes are restless, and may break out in a
general insurrection at any time. However, that
is as it may be. Young Carter will take his leave
and go down country in a month's time, and I shall
place you under his care."
Nita laughed." I should rather say, father, that
you would place him under my care, for he is the
most stupid man in the regiment."
The major smiled." He is not popular, Nita, but
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 11
he is a good honest young fellow; he doesn't say
much, certainly, but as you talk enough for two
I have no doubt that you will get on very well
when you are once in a railway-carriage on
your way down South, and he will be able to look
after you when you get to Bombay, and see all
about your passage, and make general arrange-
ments for your comfort. I do not know anyone in the regiment to whom I would rather trust
you.""Well, father, as you say so, of course I must go.
If it were only for six months I should not mind,
for I want to see the sea, and the shipping, and
of course it will be all new to me in England. I
have no doubt that my aunt will be very kind and
make allowances for my deficiencies, but it will be
terrible work saying good-bye to you when we have
never been separated even for a day. I will promise
you that I will do my best to be trained up to be a
lady. Shall I have to go to school?"
"Certainly, dear; I shall ask your aunt to find a
first-rate finishing school to which you can be sent
for the three years that you are in England, except
for your holidays."" The girls will all think that I am a little savage.
I have heard you say that they go out for walks
two by two, like an awkward squad being drilled,
and they never run races, but have to walk along
12 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
with their arms down by their sides, and their feet
turned out. Oh dear, it will be dreadful!"
"Not so bad as that; I believe there are schools
now where girls play games hockey, football, and
cricket, and have gymnastics; and I shall ask youraunt to choose one of that sort."
"That will be better," Nita said more cheerfully;"at any rate, I think that I shall be able to hold
my own.""I dare say you will feel very happy when you
have been settled there for a time. The great
point is to make the best of things. You are a big
girl for your age. You are as tall as many village
girls at sixteen, and if you are bright and cheerful
you will soon make yourself liked. Naturally in
every school there are one or two disagreeable girls,
but there will be no reason why you should quarrel
with them."
Nita threw back her head. "They had better not
quarrel with me," she said; "you know that I
have had lessons in boxing."
"Why, you little savage," he said, "you don't
suppose in a finishing school for girls they use
their fists against each other! I gave you permis-
sion to learn to box, for I think it well that every
man or woman should be able to protect themselves
if necessary. Moreover, boxing gives quickness of
thought, and doubtless improves the pose and figure.
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 13
If you were to hit a girl at school, it would lead to
your instant expulsion. Women fight with words,
not with fists. I think after your constant verbal
skirmishes with the officers that you will be able to
hold your own."
"I think so, father," Nita said; "oh, yes! I think
I shall get on very well at school."
On the following day the major marched away,and he told his daughter that he should probablybe back in a fortnight. "Take care of yourself,"
he shouted as he waved his hand before giving the
order to start;"I expect to hear, when I come back,
that you have been doing junior subaltern's work
to Lieutenant Carter."
As soon as the force were beyond the gate she
went up to the lieutenant. "You heard, sir," she
said, saluting in military fashion," that my father
has deputed me to act as your sub.?"
The young man looked at her in surprise. "I
understood that the major was joking, Miss Ack-
worth.""Partly in jest, partly in earnest, sir," she said
calmly; "one white officer to fifty men is quite
enough under ordinary circumstances, but it mightnot be enough here if we were attacked in force
by the Pathans. I might not be of any use in
directing the men's movements, they have their
own native officers for that, but in case of trouble
14 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
I could keep watch and carry orders for you and
act as hospital nurse, and do no end of things."" I trust that there will be no necessity at all for
your efforts in any direction."
"Look here, Charlie," she said; "if that is the
way you take my well-meant offers, I shall with-
draw them." This she said in a tone of contempt.
"I think you are quite right to do so, Miss
Ackworth. I do not think there is the most
remote chance of your services being called into
requisition."
"I don't know," she said; "somehow or other I
have a sort of uneasy conviction that there is
trouble brewing."
The lieutenant's face changed its expression
instantly. "Have you any reason whatever for
such an idea?" he asked, with a sharpness and
directness differing widely from his usual manner.
"No, I cannot quite say that I have; still, there
are sundry little things which might afford some
foundation for it. To begin with, you know that
thirty of the camp-followers went off a week ago.
Why should they have done that? They are always
well treated. There has been no grumbling amongthem, and yet, without a moment's notice they stole
away, just before the gates were closed at night."
"Yes, Miss Ackworth, we discussed that matter
among ourselves, and came to the conclusion that
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 15
the men thought they wanted a change and had
gone off to their villages."
"Yes, of course, it might have meant that. I
heard you talking it over when you were sitting
in the veranda outside our bungalow. I thought
you were all very stupid, because you only seemed
to have one idea between you. Why, I could have
given you several reasons at least.
"The men all belong to the hill tribes, and, I
have no doubt, had an inkling that an expedition
was going to start, and so went to join their
friends. They took, I heard, half a dozen rifles
with them, which would certainly seem to show
that they had no intention of returning here.
"Well, that is one solution. The other is that
the raid that my father has gone out to punish is
really a feint to get him to take the greater part of
the garrison away, and during his absence to fall
upon us tooth and nail."
The young lieutenant looked at Nita gravely.
"What you suggest is quite possible; I never
thought of it before, and I don't think the majorcan have done so, or he would have left some more
of his force here. I beg your pardon, Miss Ackworth.
I see that in case this supposition turns out to be
correct you will make a very useful subaltern,
and I at once accept your offers in that direction.
I trust sincerely that your fears will not come to
16 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
anything, but at any rate I will at once take every
precaution in my power forewarned is forearmed,
you know."
"That is right, sir," she said, saluting again; "I
hope that when you are assigning a place in the
defence to everyone else you will not forget me.
I am as good with the rifle as anybody, and, as you
know, I am a pretty certain shot with my revolver,
and if it came to close fighting should not waste
much ammunition."
"I will remember," he said, with a slight smile;
"but I should say that, to begin with, your place
would be in one of the officer's bungalows, which
we will turn into a hospital. There will be plenty
of work for you there if we are attacked. I again
apologize for having treated your first proposal so
lightly."
"Oh, never mind about that, Charlie! I am glad
that it is you that they left behind, for most of the
other officers would only have chaffed me, and then
I should have got into a rage."
Greatly satisfied, she returned to her father's
bungalow, and set herself to going through his be-
longings, and putting aside all old garments she could
find that could be torn up and used for dressings.
Charlie Carter at once called up the two native
officers and told them that he did not consider the
fort safe from attack while the troops were away.(B286)
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 17
The soldiers were formed up, and with these they
made a tour of the walls, telling off a man to every
twenty yards, and additionat men to the points
that were weakest and most open to attack. "You
will let half the men off duty every day, but see
that all are ready for work at night; there will be
no occasion for them all to remain on guard, but
you will station a third of them at their posts, and
change these three times during the night. Those
not on sentry will sleep with their rifles beside
them, magazines charged, so as to be ready at
once if the alarm is given. One of you by turns
will be on night duty, to see that the sentries are
vigilant, and that all is going on quietly. The
troops who are off duty will, of course, hurry to
take their respective posts on the wall should the
alarm be given by day."
The officers appeared in no way surprised at the
orders. There had been some discussion among them
on the previous evening about the fort being left
so slenderly guarded, and they were pleased to see
that their officer was determined not to be caught
napping. A tour of inspection was made, and each
man was instructed in the position that he was to
occupy in the case of assault. The weakest spot
was the gateway, which was commanded by a native
mosque a hundred yards away, several low build-
ings surrounding it,
(B286) B
18 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
"I wish I could pull that place down," he said to
Nita; "but it is more than I can venture to do when
we have really nothing to go upon. The major has
always said that if we were going to be attacked
he should not hesitate to level it to the ground, but
he could not venture to do so unless the dangerwere imminent, as its destruction would be bitterly
resented by all the people round."
"Don't you think, Charlie, that if we were to
plant a couple of barrels of powder under it, and
lay a train by which it could be fired, that it would
smash it up pretty completely ? We have a large
store of powder, and can spare two or three barrels
for the purpose."
"It is a capital idea, Miss Ackworth, and I will
carry it out to-night when the people in the village
are all asleep. Upon my word, if it were in ac-
cordance with military discipline, I should feel dis-
posed to hand over my command to you, for yourbrain works quicker than mine does, by a long
way."
"I am quite content to serve under you," she said.
"I dare say I shall have other suggestions to make
later on; some, no doubt, will be possible, others
the contrary, but I shall submit them for your
approval or rejection, knowing very well that some
of them would be impracticable. Now look here: I
shall find it frightfully dull taking my meals by
A PUNITIVE EXPEDITION 19
myself, and I don't suppose you will find it lively,
so I wish you would join me on the veranda of
our bungalow.""I don't know, Miss Ackworth, whether your
father would quite approve of that."
"Nonsense!" the girl laughed; "you know I amnot in any way to be regarded as a young lady yet.
Besides, my father was going to send me very soon
down to Bombay, and from there to England, under
your escort, which shows that he considers you a
prudent and trustworthy guardian for me. If I
were at home all day by myself I am sure that I
should get the jumps. My brain is always busy,
and, as father's representative here, I think I oughtto be able constantly to confer with you; and I amsure it will be more pleasant for you to sit in our
veranda and smoke your pipe and put up with mychatter, than it would be for you to be moping by
yourself in the ante-room. If you like I will pro-
mise to talk as childishly as I can, and with all due
respect to you as commander of the garrison."
Carter laughed. "Very well, Miss Ackworth; it
would certainly be a great deal more pleasant for
me, and you must take the responsibility when the
major returns."
"I will do that," she said; "my father must see
that it would be ridiculous for us each to be takingour meals alone all the time that he was away."
20 A SOLDIER S DAUGHTER
"Do you know, Charlie," Nita said on the second
evening, "I have always thought you rather slow,
and now I see that you are really nothing of the
sort."
Carter laughed."I am quite conscious that I am
slow, Miss Ackworth. I am not quick in taking in
ideas, or in expressing my own. I often wish that it
wasn't so, but I have lately been getting better.
I can't chaff as most of them can, but I find myself
able to join in general conversation more easily.
Some day, I dare say, I shall become quite a con-
versationalist."
"How very serious you are!" she said; "you talk
with me as if I were a woman, and not, as most of
the others do, as a little girl to be chaffed."
CHAPTER II
ATTACKED
HAVEyou got another uniform, Charlie?" the
girl asked on the following evening.
"Certainly I have," Carter answered in some
surprise."Well, I wish you would send it over here."
"Send it over here, Miss Ackworth! What on
earth do you want it for?"
ATTACKED 21
"Well, it is this. It is as well to be prepared for
all contingencies. I certainly do not mean to be
carried away, if the fort should be captured, and
made the slave of some Afridi chief. If I find
things going badly I shall run back here and puton the uniform, cut my hair off short, and then goout and fight till the last. It would be a thousand
times better to be killed fighting than to be cap-
tured."
"Certainly it would," the young officer said
gravely; "it would be a hard lot for a woman to be
carried off a captive by these Afridis."
"Very well, then, you will lend me a uniform?"
"Yes I will, Miss Ackworth, but I should advise
you to keep the last bullet in your revolver for
yourself."
"I mean to," she said, "but something might
happen; I might fall seriously wounded and be
unable to use it, and then, if they found me lying
wounded, they would fire a bullet into me and so
finish me."
"God forbid that it should come to that!" he said,
"though it is as well to make provision against it.
I am now quite of your opinion that there is a
possibility of our being attacked. For the last two
days many of the villagers have abandoned their
homes and cleared off. There must be some reason
for this, and the only one that I can see is that
22 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
the men are aware that we are going to be attacked.
They have no ground for complaint against us, we
have always paid for everything that we have had
of them. There has been no enforced labour, and
we have every reason for supposing that they are
well content to have us established here, as the fort
would be a protection in case of an Afridi raid.
This move on their part certainly is ominous.
Should we be driven from our walls, which, I hope,
will not take place, I suppose that we must rally
in the mess-house and make our last stand there.
The walls are solid, and I have this morning set
some of the men, who know something of car-
pentering, to work at once to make thick shutters
for all the windows and to store the house with
provisions. I think we could make a stout defence
there."
"I think it is a very good plan, Charlie; a bugle
call would bring all the men down from the walls
in no time. There are no buildings round, and the
enemy would have to attack us across the open; I
believe if only twenty men get there in safety we
ought to be able to drive them off."
"We will have a good try for it, anyhow," the
young lieutenant said; "they will know that the
major will not be many days before he is back, and
after one or two sharp repulses they may deem it
expedient to move off, lest they should find the
ATTACKED 23
tables turned upon them. You are rather a blood-
thirsty little person, Miss Ackworth!"
"Do you think so? I hope not. I know very
well that if we are attacked it will be a very serious
matter, and I fear there will be great loss of life.
But I do think that if they made a trifling attack,
and drew off, I should enjoy the excitement. I most
certainly hope that there will not be any regular
attacks. Still, if there are, I fancy that I should,
in a sort of way, enjoy them. It would be very
wrong, I have no doubt, but I don't think that I
could help it."
"I think that is the way with all soldiers, Miss
Ackworth. They may feel nervous before action, but
when they are once engaged they lose all sense of
fear, and their great anxiety is to get hand to hand
with the enemy. If it were not for that feeling, I
fancy that very few attacks would ever succeed.
The man who deliberately said to himself, 'No one
could live under such a storm of bullets as this',
would not be likely to march steadily through it."
"It is a funny thing, isn't it, that men should be
so fond of fighting?"
"It is; I have wondered over it many a time.
All savage races love fighting, and certainly our
own people do. If there were a great war, hun-
dreds and thousands of men would volunteer at
once. I am afraid this instinct brings us very near
24 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
the savage. I think no other nation possesses it to
anything like the same extent as the British race.
The Germans are fine soldiers and fight well, but
they do it purely because they are commanded and
have to obey. The Frenchmen are nearly the same,
and I think it is something like this with the
Russians. The Turk, now, is a thorough good
fighter, and with him it is a matter of religious
fanaticism. It is curious that our Indian subjects,
for the most part, go into battle with the same
feelings as do our own people. There are no finer
fighters in the world than the Sikhs, the Punjaubis,
and the Ghoorkhas. They are all magnificent, but
are equalled in Africa by the Hausas and other
tribes from whom we draw our soldiers. All these
people go into a fray as if they were going to a
feast."
"I expect," Nita said,
"it is because we have that
feeling that we always win our battles."
" No doubt that is so, and I only hope that the
feeling will not be knocked out of us by school-
boards and other contrivances of that sort."
Nita shook her head. This was beyond her.
"Why should it do so?" she asked." The school-board trains up the boys to despise
their fathers' callings. I am afraid they all want
to go into shops, or to get some small clerkship, and
to struggle, in fact, for anything where they can
ATTACKED 25
wear black clothes instead of fustian. Still, I hope
they won't lose the courage that our race has
always possessed. At any rate a very large num-
ber of young fellows who have been to board schools
become Volunteers afterwards, and I thoroughly
believe that the Volunteers would turn out as one
man if we had a very serious war, say, with France
or Germany."" That would be a serious war," Nita said.
" Those nations have tremendous armies, so I have
heard my father say."
"They have; but they are, in my opinion, too
tremendous. If they were to fight in solid masses
they would be literally swept away. If they fought
in the open order, which is now the rule with us,
the battle would extend over such an area that no
general in the world could handle an army covering
such an enormous space. I should say that from
a hundred to a hundred and fifty thousand is the
greatest body that could be efficiently worked under
one command. I don't think the French are ever
likely to fight us. The way the Fashoda affair
was settled seems to show that their rulers are
very adverse to plunging into war with us. Whenwe fought them at the beginning of the century
we had a population of five or six million,
while the French had six times that number.
Now our British Islands have something like
26 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
forty million, and are every day increasing, while
the French are stationary, if not going back.
Besides, if there were a big war, I believe that
the colonists would, if we were hardly pushed, send
us half a million fighting-men. Between us and
Germany the matter is different. They are enter-
ing the field as our commercial rivals, and they
fret that we should hold almost all the land in the
world where a white man can work. I except, of
course, North America. The Germans are uneasyin themselves. Democracy is making great strides,
and the time may well come when a German
Emperor may be driven to quarrel with us in order
to prevent civil war at home. At present, however,
the power of the emperor is supreme. Germany is
adding to her navy, for without a powerful navy
they could not hope to get into contact with us;
but while they build one war-ship we can build
three, so that we need not fear our supremacy at
sea being threatened save by an alliance between
France and Germany and Russia, an alliance
which there is little fear of coming about, for the
Germans hate the Russians and the Russians hate
the Germans. You might as well think of an
alliance between a dog, a cat, and a rat, as that
those three Powers should pull together. No, the
next war, when it comes, may be between us and
Russia; and as it is certain that the little Japs
ATTACKED 27
would join us, I think that between us we should
make things pretty hot for her. There, Miss
Ackworth, I have been giving you a sort of lecture
on the politics of the world. I hope that you did
not find it dull."
"Certainly not," Nita said.
"I am very much
obliged to you. Of course, I have heard these
things talked over before, but never in such a waythat I could exactly understand them. It seems
funny to be discussing such matters up here on the
frontier with the chance of being attacked every
hour.""Well, I must go my rounds. Good-night, Miss
Ackworth! I hope your sleep will not be disturbed."
"I hope not, indeed," the girl said; "I have slept
soundly every night so far. There has been so
much to arrange and work out that I go off as
soon as I lay my head upon the pillow."
Four hours later she sat suddenly up in bed. It
was certainly a rifle-shot that she heard. This was
followed almost instantaneously by a heavy roar of
musketry. "It has come!" she exclaimed as she
leapt out of bed and hurriedly dressed herself. She
paused a moment as she looked at the suit of
uniform, and then muttering "There will be time
enough for that later on", she proceeded to put on
her own clothes. She slipped a handful of cart-
ridges into her pocket, and with her revolver in
28 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
her hand sallied out. It seemed to her that the
place was attacked on all sides at once, for flashes
of fire spat out round the whole circle of the walls;
but this was as nothing to the roar outside. Bythe sound, she assured herself that the main attack
was directed on the gate, and here the fire of the
defenders was also exceptionally heavy. She made
her way up to the top of the wall. Here she found
the greater part of the men who had been in reserve,
although some of them had, as arranged, hurried to
other threatened points.
"Take steady aim, men, take steady aim!" Lieu-
tenant Carter shouted. This told her where he was
stationed, and she made her way to him. When his
eye fell on her he said," You ought not to be here,
Miss Ackworth. If things were going badly with
us I should say nothing against it; but at present,
at any rate, you have no business here, and I
must ask you to retire at once. What do you
suppose the major would say if, on his return, he
found that you had been killed by a chance shot
on the walls? I must really beg of you to descend
at once."
Never before had Nita heard the young lieutenant
speak in such a tone of command and determination." All right!" she said meekly; "just let me have one
peep over the wall and then I will go down."
"You may take just one peep, but there is
ATTACKED 29
nothing to see. They have failed in the expectation
that they would take us by surprise. At present
they are lying down and using up their ammuni-
tion."
Nita took a hasty glance over the parapet, and
then, descending the steps, made her way to the
bungalow, which it had been decided had better be
used for the wounded, as it was a bullet-proof
building, although less well ventilated and com-
fortable than the hospital would have been. She
set to work to light the lanterns ranged along the
wall, to get out bandages, and to prepare for the
reception of the wounded. Two of the men had
been told off to assist her, and these were already
there when she arrived. It was not long before the
first patient was brought in. He had been severely
wounded in the head while firing over the parapet.
Nita shuddered, but, putting on a thick white
canvas apron which she had made on the previous
day, began her work. The surgeon had unfor-
tunately gone with the expedition, and she felt
that the responsibility was a heavy one. She
knew a little of bandaging, having been present
when the doctor had given some lectures to the
officers on the subject, but this was a case al-
together beyond her. She could only bathe the
man's head and then put a loose bandage round
it. She gave him a drink of water and then sat
30 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
suddenly down on the next bed, faint and sick.
She held out her hand to one of the men for a glass
of water, drank it up, and then with a great effort
got on to her feet again, and waited -for the next
patient.
Five or six more men were brought in during the
night. All had been hit either in the head or
shoulder; some of them, however, were only gashedin the cheek, and these, as soon as their wounds
were bandaged, took up their rifles and went off
again to the wall. So the night passed; the fire
had slackened a good deal, and it was evident that
the Afridis had abandoned the idea of taking the
fort by assault. Although it was two o'clock when
the attack had begun, the night seemed endless to
Nita, and she was grateful indeed when the first
tinge of daylight appeared in the east. Presently
Carter arrived." You have done well indeed, Miss
Ackworth," he said," and have been far more use-
ful than you could have been on the wall. It
required a deal of nerve to carry out your work, and
your looks show what a strain it has been. I beg
that you will go and lie down for a time. Half the
men have come down from the wall, and a good
many of them are adepts in the art of bandaging
wounds, having been enlisted among fighting tribes.
Your bandaging has been really effective, but these
men will make a neater job of it."
ATTACKED 31
" How are things going on?" she asked.
"Very well. They have fallen back now to the
mosque and village, and no doubt will spend the
morning in consultation."
" You have not fired off the barrels, then?"" Oh no! I shall keep that as a pill for them when
matters become more serious. Now please go and
lie down. Of course if there is a fresh attack youwill get u*p and come out again."
Nita walked slowly across the yard to her
room. "Why are my legs so ridiculously weak?"
she said to herself; "I am sure that I have not
been afraid, and as to the work of bandaging those
poor fellows, it was nothing. I suppose it was
the sight of blood, and having to wait so long for
something to do. I am sure that I should have
borne it ten times better if Mr. Carter had allowed
me to remain on the wall. I should not have
thought that I could have been overruled by what
he said, but he spoke so sternly and sharply that
I felt that I must obey him. I would not have
believed that Charlie could have spoken so. I shall
not be so quick in forming my opinion about
people again. I think I spoke of him as 'stupid'
when father said he was to take me down country,
but I see that there is nothing stupid about him.
He is very quiet, certainly, but he takes the
command as if he had been accustomed to it all his
32 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
life. I am quite certain that if anyone can defend
this place he can. How silly of me! I forgot to
ask him what was the strength of the force
attacking us. However, that will keep till I get
up."
So saying, she lay down on the bed, dressed as
she was, and in two minutes was fast asleep. It
was eleven o'clock when she woke. "I did not
think that I should have slept five minutes," she
said indignantly to herself;" here I have had nearly
six hours." She dipped her face in water, brushed
her hair, and made herself as tidy as possible. When
she went out Lieutenant Carter was talking to the
two native officers; she waited till they both saluted
and retired, then she went up to him. "Please tell
me a little more about it, Mr. Carter. How manyare there of the attackers? What do you think
they are going to do ? Did you kill many of them ?"
" Three questions at once," he said with a smile," and to none of them can I give you a satisfactory
answer. In the first place, they are very strong;
we have put them down as having fifteen hundred
men. As to their intention, I can tell you nothing
yet, for there has been no development. Thirdly,
I think that we must have killed fifty at their first
rush at the gate; but that is pure surmise, for they
carried off the bodies as fast as they fell. I am
waiting somewhat eagerly to see what their next
ATTACKED 33
move will be. We have heard outbursts of yells
twice in the last hour, and I expect that we shall
soon see the result."
"It is long odds," the girl said.
"Very long," answered the lieutenant;
" for there
is no doubt that it is a preconcerted thing. Anattack was made on that outlying post, a consider-
able distance from the fort, and probably only with
the intention of getting our garrison to march away,while all the assembled tribes came down upon us,
feeling, no doubt, that with the benefit of a surprise,
and knowing how small our garrison must be, it
would be carried at the first rush. Now that that
has failed they will, no doubt, adopt some quite dif-
ferent tactics. I have had the men at work ever
since daybreak, piling up sacks full of earth against
the gate to within two or three feet of the top,
where I have made some loopholes, so that our
men can lie down on the sacks and keep up a heavyfire. That is all that I can do at present, until
we see what game they mean to play."" That is capital," the girl said
;
"if they make a
real attack, that is the position where I shall place
myself. There will be no chance of my being hit
there, and at that distance I could calculate on
bringing down an enemy at every shot."
"I ain afraid that you are a very wilful young
person," he said with a smile; "but as I know how(B286) C
34 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
good a shot you are, I shall not refuse your aid in
case of extremity."
CHAPTER III
HARD PRESSED
rpOWARDS daylight next morning a tremendous
J- fire opened suddenly, and Nita dressed hastily
and ran out. Running up to the walls, she saw
that a large number of men were approaching the
gate, covered by a rain of bullets from the mosqueand village, and that, as it seemed to her, an equally
strong attack was being made from the other side.
The Punjaubis were hard at work, and from the
number of dead that covered the ground behind
the enemy, she felt how accurate their fire had
been. This time the Afridis seemed to have
worked themselves up to a pitch of fanatical
bravery. Two or three times they halted for a
minute, but their leaders came to the front, and,
waving their flags, led them forward again. At
last, in spite of the fire of the twenty-five men on
that side, they reached the gate, at which they
began to hack with their heavy knives.
Half a dozen men now ran down from the wall,
and, climbing up the barricade, opened fire through
HARD PRESSED 35
the loopholes on the mass below, causing terrible
destruction among them. The men who could not
get at the gate opened fire at these loopholes, and
it was not long before two of the defenders fell,
shot through the head. Nita at once went up and
took the place of one of them. The two men who
had been killed were lying next to each other.
Taking a careful aim from one loophole she fired
a man dropped; then she shifted her place to the
next vacant loophole, and fired from that. Some-
times she lay still for two or three minutes, and
then fired several shots in rapid succession from
the loopholes; sometimes using one and sometimes
the other, and thus avoiding the storm of bullets
that followed each shot. She had no sense of fear
now. She was proud of doing her share of the
work. That she was doing a share she knew, for
scarcely one of her shots missed the mark.
Presently the men before the gate began to
sneak off, and in five minutes more all was over,
the Afridis suffering heavily as they retreated
across the open. Then Nita went down into the
courtyard. As she did so, she saw Carter run
across the court to the other side, where the com-
bat was still raging. She mounted the wall a
short distance away. The enemy had each brought
up a great faggot, and thrown it down against the
foot of the wall, giving a slope almost to the top.
36 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
Up this they had again and again rushed, only to
be beaten back each time by the Punjaubis. For-
tunately the faggots were insufficient to reach
quite to the top of the wall, and the Afridis had
to help their comrades up the eight feet between
the crest and the top of the parapet, only to see
them fall back shot or bayoneted. The arrival of
ten men from the gate turned the tables. With
thirty rifles playing upon them the Afridis felt that
no more could be done, and retired sullenly, taking
advantage of every bit of rising ground or bush
to lie down and fire.
"Well, Miss Ackworth, that affair is over. I saw
you standing at a distance, and was thankful that
you did not come up to join us."
"I did my fighting on the other side," she said
with a smile. "You know you said that"
"You did!" he said angrily. "I shall have to
put you under arrest, Miss Ackworth, for disobey-
ing orders."
" Thank you ! but it happens that I did not dis-
obey orders. You particularly said that I mightfire through the loopholes of the gate when it was
seriously attacked, and I took advantage of the
permission to get possession of two holes where
the defenders had been killed, and I flatter myselfI did some good. I fired thirty shots, and know
enough of my shooting to be sure that there were
HARD PRESSED 37
not many of them thrown away. The circum-
stances were exactly what you pointed out. The
gate was very seriously attacked, and it was there-
fore open to me to do a little shooting on my own
account."
"It was really wrong of you, Miss Ackworth.
The attack was serious, but I never thought for
a moment that they would take the gate, and it
certainly never entered my mind that you would
expose yourself to being killed in this way."" I took every precaution, Charlie, and fired
sometimes from one loophole and sometimes from
another; and as I must have accounted for quite
twenty-five men, I honestly believe that I, at least,
did as much as any of your soldiers, and probably
a good deal more."" That is all very well," he said;
" I don't say that
you did not do good service, and I admit that myorders did give you some sort of license; however,
this must not occur again, or I shall consider it myduty to order you to keep your place in the hospital,
and shall have to put a sentry at the door to pre-
vent you from coming out under any pretence
while fighting is going on. You must remember
that I shall have to account for your safety to the
major when he returns, and that were anything to
happen to you the blame would fall upon myshoulders, and would not be put down to your
38 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
wilfulness. However, should the time ever come
when we are driven to our last corner, I shall then
authorize you to use your pistol."
Glad to have got off so easily, Nita went down
to the hospital. There were but few wounded, and
these, as before, had been hit principally on the
head and shoulder. Lieutenant Carter came in
shortly afterwards: "Let me have a look at your
patients, Miss Ackworth; I have gone through the
St. John's ambulance course and am pretty goodat bandaging. I see that you have taken great
pains with the men, but I think that I can possibly
make a little improvement here and there. Besides,
in some cases, I may be able to get the balls out.
It will be more than a week before the surgeonis back with your father, and extracting a bullet
might make all the difference between life and
death. I have brought in a case of instruments
the doctor left behind him. Do you think that
you could help me?""Certainly I could," she said; "I think my first
attack of weakness will be my last."
"Well, then, let us set to work."
With two or three of the patients the ball had
penetrated too deeply, but where it had lodged
comparatively close to the surface, Carter managedto find its position with a probe, and in four cases
he succeeded in getting it out. The patients
HARD PRESSED 39
behaved with heroic fortitude, and although the
operation was necessarily painful, bore it without
a murmur. When the work was done and the
wounds bandaged again, he said:"Now, Nita, a
little fresh air would do you good; come with me
up to the ramparts. I am going to try the effects
of an explosion. It is certain that the enemy are
all gathered now in the mosque and village, and
possibly after their defeat of this morning such a
blow will disconcert them altogether, and send them
to the right-about.""I should think it would," Nita agreed.
" What
loss did they suffer this morning, do you think?"
"I should say at least a hundred and fifty of
their bravest men."
They went together to the spot where the train
of gunpowder ended. "You go on to the walls,"
he said," and watch. I will run up as soon as I
have lighted the fuse. We calculated that it would
last five minutes before it fires the train of gun-
powder."
Nita ran up to the wall and a minute later was
joined by the officer. He took out his watch and
counted the minutes as they went past."Now,
Miss Ackworth," he said, putting his watch into his
pocket again," the fuse ought to be done in forty
seconds, but we must allow a minute or two for
miscalculation in its length."
40 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
Two minutes passed, then there was a deep roar;
the mosque came down like a house of cards, and
many of the dwellings collapsed from the shock of
the explosion. Timbers and stones flew up high
into the air. There was a moment's pause, and
then an outburst of wild yells and screams. "I
think that ought to frighten them a bit," the
lieutenant said; "unless their leader has great
power over them, and is a man of iron nerves,
they will be off. The worst of it is, they won't
like to return home to face their women after the
disasters that they have suffered, and without
having obtained some great success. The men
scarcely know what nerves mean, and they may
very well make up their minds to try one last
attempt. You may be sure it will be a formidable
one if they do, and they will probably adopt some
entirely new scheme. We shall have to be doubly
cautious for the next two nights."
Although a sharp look-out was kept, there was
no sign of the enemy retreating. Towards eveninga scattered fire was opened from the village against
the gate, but otherwise the night passed quietly.
"I don't like it," Carter said the next morning;"the enemy have not gone yet, and they have not
renewed the attack. I have no doubt that the
beggars are up to something. I wish I knew what
it was. It worries me."
HARD PRESSED 41
"It does seem strange," Nita said; "but perhaps
they have been burying their dead, which would
keep them pretty well occupied all day. However,
as we have beaten them off twice with the loss
to ourselves of only six killed and eight wounded,
I suppose that we shall be able to resist them
again."
"I am sure we shall if they attack us openly. It
is only the unknown that I am afraid of. I was
on the walls the whole night, but except for a con-
tinued random fire from the village they were quiet.
I wish we had a moon. In that case we could make
them out comfortably at a hundred yards, whereas
on these dark nights one can't see twenty."
The officer's prevision of danger told upon Nita,
and when she reached the bungalow that night she
dressed herself in Carter's uniform, cut her hair
carefully close to her head, and lay down in readi-
ness to leap up at the first alarm.
Had anyone been keeping special watch in the
courtyard, they would have seen a number of dark
figures clustering between the wall and the hospital.
During that and the preceding night a party of
Afridis had gathered at the foot of the wall, crawling
forward, one by one, on their stomachs. They were
armed only with spear and knife, and with these had
attacked the wall noiselessly, working the stones
out one by one, unobserved and undreamt of by the
42 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
watch on the wall above. The first night they had
almost completed their work, and by three in the
morning on the second had made an opening through
which two men could pass abreast; then one had
gone back to the village, and presently a stream
of men were passing through the wall.
When all was ready they burst out with trium-
phant yells. They were, however, ignorant of the
position of the various houses, and scattered mis-
cellaneously. A moment later the bugle sounded,
and twenty men in reserve at once made a rush to
the mess-house. The defenders of the wall came
running down the various steps leading from the
battlements. Many of these were cut down on the
way, but twelve of them managed to join their
comrades at the mess-house.
Nita sprang up when the first yell broke out,
seized her revolver and a box of cartridges, and
had reached the mess-house just as the party in the
yard came in. The door was kept open until the
last fugitive entered, desperately wounded, and
followed by a mob of the exulting Afridis, who,
however, were prevented from entering the build-
ing.
Each man had been instructed as to the place he
should occupy in case they were driven from the
wall, and the Punjaubis took up their positions in
stern silence.
HARD PRESSED 43
" Where is Lieutenant Carter ?"Nita asked. "Has
anyone seen him ?"
"I am here, Miss Ackworth, and, thank God, youare here too. I was one of the last to come in, for
I hung round your bungalow to help you if neces-
sary."
Candles and lanterns had been placed on the table,
and Nita took a match-box from her pocket and
lit several of them.
"Hullo, Miss Ackworth, is that really you?" said
the astonished lieutenant as soon as a light was
struck.
"Really and truly," she said; "you rather scared
me yesterday by your talk, so I got into your uni-
form before I lay down."
"You did well," he said; "and I should certainly
take you for a lad who had just joined the regiment.
Well, I must not stay here. The first thing is to
go round and rearrange the posts, for we have little
more than half our original number now. I shall
only leave three or four men on this floor at present,
and shall at once open fire from the upper windows.
I shall be much obliged if you will stay down here."
"Certainly I will do so. I will place myself near
the main door, and will let you know if the enemyseem to be collecting for an attack upon it."
"You are a brave girl," he said, "and I wish I had
two or three dozen like you."
44 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
The Afridis at once pulled down the barricade
from the front gate, and the tribesmen swarmed in.
Very soon, however, they were obliged to take
shelter in the various buildings, for the galling fire
from the windows of the mess-house rendered it
impossible for them to stay in the open.
At daylight firing ceased altogether and re-
freshments were served out to the troops, and
the lieutenant and Nita sat quietly down to break-
fast.
"There is no disguising it," he said, "our position
is a very critical one. In the first place, have you
any idea how these rascals got into the fort?"
"I have no certain idea at all, Charlie, but I think
that in the dark they must have somehow cut a
hole through the wall.
"I should think that it was something of that
sort; they certainly did not get over it, they
could not have done so without being seen by the
sentries. That they should have got in has cer-
tainly changed our position greatly for the worse.
They have shown themselves amazingly determined
and enterprising. I have no doubt they will fill
every house whose windows bear on ours, and keep
up such a fire that we shall not be able to show
ourselves. Under cover of that fire they will attack
us. We may kill a great many of them, but I fear
that in the long run it will come to the same thing.
HARD PRESSED 45
Our only hope, I think, lies in the chance that the
major has received news of the attack upon us, and
has abandoned all idea of the expedition and is
hurrying back to our relief. God grant that he
may arrive to-day, or at latest, to-morrow. It is
no use our shutting our eyes to the fact that our
position is a very grave one."
Nita herself had already seen this, and yet she
turned a little pale at her companion's words.
"Well," she said, "I am glad indeed that I put on
your uniform. One can but be killed once, and if
they fail to kill me I shall do it myself. The only
thing that troubles me is the thought of father
returning and finding me dead;" and her eyes filled
with tears.
"It is awful; I can say nothing to comfort you,"
he said sadly, "but we must keep up each other's
courage till the last. There will be no great occa-
sion to keep up yours, though, for you are the
pluckiest girl that I ever saw. As for my own
courage, I am in command here, and must keep
up a brave face, no matter what I may think.""I am afraid that I am not so brave as I seem to
be. It is as much as I can do really to keep myselffrom breaking down and crying."
"That is only natural, Nita, and if you would like
to have a good cry I will leave you to yourself for
half an hour."
46 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
"Oh no, I don't mean that I am going to, for if I
began to cry I don't know when I should stop;
and," she added, with an attempt at a smile, "that
would shake my hand, and I shall want it to be as
steady as I can. I think that I can promise that
every shot shall tell this time. I dare say it seems
horrid to you that I should be so bloodthirsty, but
I hate them all so for coming down and attacking
us like this that I would kill them all with one blow
if I could."
"I wish you could, very heartily," he said with a
smile. "You have been a great friend to me," he
went on, taking her hand; "your high spirits have
kept me up, and I don't know what I should have
done without you. It was you that thought of
blowing up the mosque, which I should say must
have accounted for a great number of them, not to
mention those you brought down with your pistol.
You have forgiven my speaking so sharply to you,
I hope?""I have never thought of it since; you were quite
right to blow me up, and I felt that at the time.
Yes, we have been great friends, and I have told
myself scores and scores of times what a little fool
I was to have thought that you were rather stupid
because you talked so little and didn't seem to care
much for entering into the amusements of the
others."
HARD PRESSED 47
"No, I know that I was not what you call a good
comrade, but I could not help it. I fancy I was shy,
and I did not care much for any of their sports;
besides, I knew that they regarded me rather as
a killjoy, and that kept me from mixing with them
much.""Well, you have had your turn now, Charlie, and
no one could have come out of it more splendidly.
You will be a great soldier some day, if"and
she stopped.
"If I live, yes. I hoped some day to have
got a chance of distinguishing myself. And the
chance has come, but, as you say, it is unlikely that
it will ever come again. But, as you also said, one
can but die once, and at least I hope that I shall die
with credit, and a soldier can wish no more. But I
would give all the few hours I may have left to
me to know that you would escape."
"That is all nonsense, Charlie; I am only a girl,
and a girl's life is not worth anything. If it wasn't
for my father I should be fairly content.""Well," he said,
"it is no use talking. We shall
have to do the best we can when the time comes.
I must go round and see after the men."
48 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
CHAPTER IV
PRISONERS
rFIHERE was but a short cessation of hostilities,
-- and then from every building round a blaze of
musketry burst out. The men were at once called
down from the upper rooms, where there were no
shutters, and planted at the loopholes of those on
the ground floor. "Don't throw away a shot,"
was the order given to them; "keep well in shelter,
and when you do fire take care that you bring
down your man."
So the fight went on all day. The losses of the
enemy were far greater than those of the garrison,
but the men lost to the latter could be ill spared."It is awful to think of the fate of those in the
hospital," Nita said, when she took a hasty meal
in the middle of the day with Lieutenant Carter.
"Four or five of them managed to get in here
alive, the rest must have been massacred in cold
blood."
"Do not fret over that, Nita; it may be the fate
of all of us in a few hours. We shall sell our lives
dearly, but I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that
the enemy are not far off a big rush. Then the
doors will give way, for we have no means of
PRISONERS 49
strengthening them; and as there are two entrances
at the back as well as those in front, nothing but
the return of the major can save us. There is no
doubt that in spite of their losses the enemy are
determined to capture the place. We have now
only eighteen men left capable of firing a rifle, and
they are fifty to one against us. It is of no use
disguising it from ourselves. To-night will see the
end of the fight."
"If it must be so, it must," Nita said quietly." You don't think that anyone is likely to see that
I am a girl?""Certainly not; your disguise in that way is
complete. Perhaps you had better allow me to
trim your hair as closely as I can to the masculine
style. There is more chance for you and me than
for the men, for it is just possible that they maytake us and carry us off as hostages. That means
that they will keep us as slaves till they are
attacked in such force that they may think it
prudent to make terms. The chances are against
it, but there is a possibility that it is the course
they will take."
"I would rather die than that," Nita said. "I
might keep up my disguise for a time, but theywould be sure to detect it sooner or later. I dare
not think of this."
"I don't believe that you would be detected,(B286) D
50 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
Nita. I should not penetrate your disguise myself,
and if I who know you cannot do so you may well
pass with these ruffians. You have plenty of spirit
and may very well sustain your character."
"I shall blow my brains out before I am taken,"
she said passionately," I have quite made up my
mind to that."
" That must be your own choice," he said gravely." While there is life there is hope, and sooner or
later you may be restored to your friends. Sooner
than later, I should guess, for you may be sure
that when the news of this massacre reaches
the authorities they will lose no time in getting
together a strong punitive expedition against the
tribes, and as soon as they find that resistance is
hopeless they will try to make terms on the
strength of any hostages that they may have in
their hands."
Nita shook her head. "It is all very well for
you to give me hope, Charlie, but you know as
well as I do that the chances are hundreds to one
against us."
At night, as soon as it became dark, there was
a tremendous rush against all four doors. "It is of
no use, men," Carter said, in firm tones which rose
above the din, "the doors will not hold out five
minutes. We will assemble here and fight till the
\ast. We have done all that men can do, and I
PRISONEKS 51
thank you for the way that you have stood by me;
but the odds are too great for us, and we have
nothing to do now except die like men. They will
find that, handful as we are, we can account for
a good many of them yet."
The men gathered in a ring, with Carter and Nita
in the centre. Three minutes later two crashes
were heard, and the Afridis burst in. They pauseda moment on seeing the compact little body waiting
their attack, then with yells of triumph rushed at
them. They were met with a stream of musketry,
every shot of which took effect, and the crack of the
revolvers of Carter and Nita added to the din. In
vain the enemy endeavoured to break the circle.
Then they betook themselves to their muskets.
The ground was speedily piled with dead, but
numbers gradually prevailed. The little ring of
defenders grew smaller and smaller, and at last,
when but six men were standing, the enemy burst
into the circle. There was wild fighting for a
minute, bayonets against sword and spear, but
gradually the din ceased.
Carter was one of the last to fall. Nita had one
shot left in her revolver and directed this against
her forehead. But at the moment when she was
about to draw the trigger she was felled to the
ground by a blow from the butt-end of a musket.
Then the Afridis, seeing that all was over, scattered
52 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
for plunder, leaving the bodies of the slain where
they lay.
Daybreak dawned, and Nita opened her eyes.
She saw that Carter, herself, and two others had
been removed from the heap of slain and placed
by themselves. She closed her eyes again with a
shudder, and yet with a feeling of relief. The re-
moval of the three men as well as herself must have
been the result of an examination of the slain, and,
like herself, the other three must have been found
breathing. Her head ached as if it would split,
and she lay for a long time without moving. Then
two men, who were evidently chiefs, came up and
examined them.
There was some discussion between them, and
then Carter and another were taken away, and she
and the remaining man, who was one of the native
officers, were also carried out. The wounds of the
four were all roughly bandaged, and then Carter and
his companion were taken up by four natives and
borne away. Nita remained for another hour. Bythis time the fort had been completely ransacked.
Then she and her companion were also placed on
stretchers and carried out of the fort, which was
at once set on fire in a dozen places. Some water
was given them, and the tribe then started off. Nita
lay with her eyes closed all day, scarcely able even
to think, for her head throbbed as if it would split.
PRISONERS 53
They travelled fast and did not halt till nightfall.
Then she was given a piece of dry bread and a little
water. She made an effort to eat, but it was use-
less; she drank most of the water, however, and
soaked her handkerchief in the rest, and placed it on
her head, and managed at last to doze off to sleep.
In the morning she felt better. The chief then
came up and spoke to her. She shook her head,
and he went away, and presently returned with one
of the tribesmen who had served in a Punjaubi
regiment.
"Who are you?" he asked, and in that language,
which Nita could speak fairly well.
"I am an officer in the regiment," she said, "and
am a relation of the major who commanded the
fort." The man translated this to his leader, wholooked pleased.
"Tell him that he will be my servant," he said,
"and will be well treated if he gives no trouble, but
if he attempts to escape he will be shot at once."
This was translated to Nita. Then he went on:
"You are very young to be an officer, you are no
more than a boy."
"I am young," Nita replied, "but when one has
a major for a relation one can get a commission at
a much younger age than one otherwise would."
"Here are some peaches;" he said, "you will eat
them better than bread."
54 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
"Thank you very much!" Nita replied.
"You have nothing the matter with you," the
chief went on, "except that you have a big swelling
at the back of your head. I suppose you were
knocked down by a musket. It is fortunate.for
you that you were supposed to be dead at the time,
for the men would not have spared you after the
loss that you had inflicted upon us. By the time
we found that you were alive their passion had died
down, and I was able to show them that you and
the other three might be much more useful alive
than dead."
"Is my friend the other officer seriously hurt?"
Nita asked.
"Yes, he's badly wounded, but I think that he
will recover, and also the other two." So saying,
he turned off and went away.
Nita felt most grateful for the peaches. She
gave a couple of them to the havildar, who evidently
needed them even more than she did. Then she
sat down and ate her own slowly, the sweet juice
cooling her parched tongue, and even the pain in
her head seemed to abate somewhat. Half an hour
later the tribe again set off. They ascended two
steep passes, and at the end of the sixth day halted
in a small valley. There were several villages
scattered about, and every foot of the ground was
cultivated. They were greeted with shouts of
PRISONERS 55
welcome by the inhabitants who flocked out; but
soon cries and lamentations mingled with the
cheering, from women whose husbands had not
returned. These, however, soon retired to their
homes to grieve in solitude, while the others went
on with their dances of triumph, and the tribesmen
scattered to their own villages.
In the centre of the valley stood i strongly-forti-
fied house, and to this the prisoners were taken.
That day Nita had been strong enough to walk,
and the pain in her head had abated, though the
pressure of her cap still hurt her. The chief's wife,
who walked beside her husband, glanced at the
prisoners, and was evidently by no means pleased
at their being quartered upon her, but when the
chief explained that they would both be slaves at
her service she looked mollified. They were taken
to a small room in an upper story. Then she gaveNita a large jug and signified to her that she was
to draw water from the stream that ran throughthe valley. Anxious to please the woman who was
to be her mistress she fulfilled the mission, although
feeling very tired with her walk. The womanseemed more gracious when Nita returned with
her burden. While she had been away the chief
had explained to her the value of the captives, and
that he should either get a large sum for restoring
them to their friends, or might use them to arrest
56 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
the progress of a large party of troops sent against
him."Only to think," she said, as Nita went wearily
upstairs,"that that slight boy should be an officer !
Why, with us it is the bravest and strongest menwho are the chiefs. How can they expect to fight
against us, when they are led by boys like that? I
could twist him round my finger."" The ways of the English are unaccountable,"
the chief said." He is, as you say, but a boy, though
he and another officer, not much bigger than him,
with only fifty men, have killed nearly three
hundred of us. Not one offered to surrender, and
they fought to the last. These two, and two others
who have gone with the Orokzais, were the only
ones found breathing when we examined the dead.
They are strange people these men, but they are
men, and these fought like lions. If they had
offered to surrender we would have given them
their lives, and carried them off as captives. It is
a good thing to have a certain number of prisoners
in our hands, for then we can always make peace
with their countrymen. But it was not to be.
This little garrison were determined to die, and
they did die. However, both their officers are in
our hands. Treat them well, wife. It will pay us
to do so. I rather like that fair-haired boy; he
has shown himself very patient and plucky, and
PRISONERS 57
himself volunteered to walk instead of being carried
to-day. I think you will find him very willing
and cheerful."
" He had better be," she said savagely." As to
his being cheerful, I care not for it one way or the
other; but if he is not willing, he will soon get a
taste of my stick."
"I should advise you not to try it. I was in the
room in the last fight and saw how steadily and
straight he shot. Certainly fourteen or so of our
men fell at his hands, and I would have saved him
then if I could have done so, for never did I see a
lad fight so stoutly. He fired as deliberately as
if he were aiming at a mark. His eyes shone
strangely, and he cheered on his men to the end.
I am sure that if you strike him he is capable of
doing you harm, at whatever cost to himself."
The woman muttered to herself. She was evi-
dently impressed with her husband's warning, and
also with the glance Nita had given her when
ordered to fetch water. "Can he cook?" she said.
" One of our women has died since you have been
away, and I have all the work on my own
shoulders.""I am not sure if he knows anything of cooking,"
the chief replied," but you can teach him, and he
will not be long in picking it up. Now I will show
you the things that I have brought you home."
58 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
The sight of the various articles of spoil com-
pletely mollified the woman. There was a large
copper cooking -pot and two small ones. There
were some clothes that Nita recognized as belong-
ing to Carter, a looking-glass, a dozen knives and
forks, and a meat-chopper, all of them precious
things indeed in an Afridi village. Besides this,
outside there were a dozen cattle and some forty
sheep, the chief's share of the animals picked up at
various villages in the neighbourhood of Darlinger.
The chief's wife was specially delighted with the
mirror, and, fixing it against the wall, she stood
admiring herself for a long time, twisting her head
from side to side and grimacing with such an air
of affectation that it was as much as Nita could do
to refrain from breaking into a scream of laughter.
"This is all my own," she said at last, turning
to the chief; "your other two wives have nothing
to do with it, and are not even to look into it unless
I give them permission ?"
The chief nodded gravely. The other two wives
had, while this was going on, been occupied with
domestic duties and in bringing in the various
goods. Nita made up her mind at once that theyhad a very bad time and were little better than
slaves.
As the chief left the hut his wife turned to Nita." Go and help the others," she said
PRISONERS 59
Nita understood her action though not her words,
and with a shrug of her shoulders went to help the
other women. Presently a large bowl of rice slightly
flavoured with condiment was brought in. The chief,
who had returned, sat gravely down by himself to
eat it. When he had finished, his head wife seated
herself and took her share. After she was satisfied
the other women sat down together.
Nita hesitated, but she had now recovered her
appetite and sat down quietly with them. Instead,
however, of grabbing handful after handful, as did
the others, she took as much as she wanted, placed
it on the ground in front of her, and quietly beganto eat it.
The head wife laughed derisively and made some
remark to her husband, but the chief was evidently
not pleased and spoke sternly to her, and Nita
guessed that he said she was a valuable captive,
and being an officer must be fairly treated. It was,
of course, all important that if a British armyentered the valley the prisoners should give a goodaccount of their treatment while captive there.
The woman was, without doubt, cowed. The
Afridis use their sticks freely on their wives, and
it was evident that although a tyrant in the house
she stood in wholesome fear of her husband.
The chief moved across the hut, took down an
earthenware plate, and placed it before Nita, who
60 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
let him see by her manner that she appreciated his
act of kindness. He further signified by gesture
that she might regard this plate as her own and
use it upon all occasions.
When the meal was over, Nita assisted to tidy upthe room, then went down with a large earthenware
jug to the stream and brought it back full of water.
She had not been ordered to do this, and the woman
nodded to her more kindly than she had hitherto
done, seeing that the captive was ready to make
herself useful.
After doing this Nita returned to her room. It
was now nearly dark. She went and chatted to the
native officer, bathed his wound, and gave him some
of the food that she had put by for him." Don't get well sooner than you can help," she
said; "the woman of the house is a vixen of the
worst kind, and will set you to work the moment
you are able to crawl about. Her husband is dis-
posed to be friendly. I think I frightened the
woman. Of course, she would not have understood
anything I said, but I am sure my manner showed
her that it wouldn't be safe to touch me."
Nita went down early in the morning. The
mistress of the house had not yet appeared, but
the two women were hard at work grinding meal.
Nita went at once to their assistance. She was
clumsy at the work, and her share was very in-
PRISONERS 61
considerable. Still, the women were grateful. Nita
could not understand all that they said, but by the
way they patted her on the back and shook their
fists menacingly at the room where the head wife
was sleeping, it was apparent that they hated her
with a deadly hatred, and recognized in Nita a
friend animated by the same feelings as themselves.
Matters went on quietly for some little time.
Nita set to work to pick up the language, and as
their oppressor evidently thought that she could
make more use of the prisoner if she understood
what she said she threw no impediment in the way,
and she suffered Nita to chat freely with the others
while they were at work. She even went so far as
to admit to her husband that the prisoner was very
willing to work, and understood what she wanted
done. Still, the fact that her husband had placed
Nita to some extent beyond her power galled her,
and she frequently indulged in violent ejaculations
and threats. She was the more furious because
Nita received her upbraidings with quiet contemptand did not appear even to hear her. She would
many a time have struck her, but was, in truth,
a little afraid of Nita, and was convinced that did
she attempt to do so "the lad" would, regardless
of consequences, return the blow with interest.
62 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
CHAPTER V
ESCAPED
ASNita picked up the language she heard to her
delight that Carter was recovering from his
wounds, and that he was held a prisoner by a chief
who lived fifteen miles away among the mountains.
She learned that his captivity was much more severe
than hers, and that while she was allowed, when
not engaged indoors, to wander about the village,
he was heldA close prisoner in the house of the chief.
As soon as she found this out she became restless.
It would be an easy thing for her to escape alone,
but the idea possessed her that she ought to do some-
thing to free Carter, and this seemed almost an im-
possibility. One thing was evident she must, in
the first place, get an Afridi dress. This would not
be difficult. Much more serious was the question
how she was to subsist. She saw that it might be
the work of a week, or possibly of a fortnight, after
she got away before she could communicate with
Carter and arrange for his escapa She would then
need a considerable quantity of food, and also a long
rope, and a disguise of some sort would be required
for Carter.
Nita began by taking flour and meal from the
ESCAPED 63
storehouse downstairs. These she put in a sack,
which she hid in some bushes a short distance from
the house. Every day she added to the store, and
as it swelled she took two or three goat-milk cheeses.
She hesitated a good deal whether she should adopta male or female dress, but finally decided uponman's attire. She did not intend to show herself by
daylight, but the casual glimpse of a female on the
hillside would almost assuredly excite observation
and suspicion; moreover, she intended to carry a
rifle if she could obtain one, which would be alto-
gether out of character with the dress of a woman.
Three weeks were spent in her preparation, by the
end of which time the sack was as heavy as she
could lift. She had from the first made up her
mind that it would be necessary to carry off a
donkey or mountain pony, and intended to sling
the sack on one side of him, with a skin of water
on the other.
The sack was about a third full of grain, another
third of meal, and the remainder was made up of
cheeses, some rough clothes, and the rope. She had
also cut a pliant stick some four feet in length, with
notches at each end to carry a string; for it would
clearly be necessary to shoot a note, to begin with,
into the window of the prisoner's room. She made
three or four rough arrows, which she tied to the
bow. She was now ready, but the first thing was
64 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
to get hold of a pony. In order to do this she once
or twice a day took a handful or two of grain to
the pony belonging to one of the Afridis, and in a
short time it would come eagerly to her when she
called. At last all her preparations were ended, and
one evening, as soon as the house was asleep, she
took a rifle and a bag of cartridges from the corner
where they stood, then some of the chief's robes
down from the wall, and very cautiously unbarred
the door, and, carrying the water-skin with her,
closed it behind her and started for the hiding-place
of the sack. Then she went to the little enclosure
where the pony was standing, and calling softly to
it, it came at once to the gate, which she opened,
gave it a mouthful of grain, and taking hold of its
mane led it to where her goods were hidden. She
placed two or three of the cloths folded across its
back, then, with some difficulty, fastened the sack
and water-skin on to it. She followed the path
leading to the south for four or five miles, and
then struck off in the direction of the village in
which Carter was confined. She had chosen a
moonlight night, and made her way some miles
without encountering any great difficulty. Then
she came to a piece of country so rough that she
was compelled to halt. At the first break of dawn
she was off again, and succeeded in crossing the
crest of the line of hills separating the valley she
QJ.V
ESCAPED 65
had left from the next. Down this she went for
some distance, along places so precipitous thateven the sure-footed pony had difficulty in mak-ing its way. At last she came upon a small ravinewhich she could see broadened out lower down.Here she lay down and slept, after giving the ponytwo or three handfuls of corn and fastening it upto a bush.
After a time she continued her journey. Fromthe description she had heard of the village sheknew that it stood in a strong position on the hill-
side. When she got down to the bottom of theravine she again fastened the pony up and went outinto the valley. She was glad to see that water randown it. This was a great relief to her, for althoughthe water-skin would last her for many days, it
would not suffice very long for the pony's needs.She walked on five or six miles, and then caughtsight of a village three miles ahead, which exactlyanswered the description she had gathered of thatin which Carter was confined. Keeping along thesides of the valley, and taking advantage of everyspur of the hill, she got to within a mile of it, andthen ascended the slope till she reached a spot a
quarter of a mile behind thevillage, and here she
lay down and reconnoitred it. It differed but little
from the one she had left, and consisted of five orsix fortified houses.
(B286)
66 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
Its position was a strong one, as the hill in front
of it sloped steeply down. She selected a clump of
scrub a mile away, and, wrapping herself up in a
blanket, lay down to sleep, as it was already becom-
ing dusk. In the morning she started at daybreak,
spent the day with the pony, and late in the after-
noon returned again with it, and by midnight was
safe in the spot she had chosen. The scrub was
high enough for the pony to stand unseen, and after
giving it a good feed, and eating some of the grain
and a piece of cheese, she lay down till the morning.
Looking round she saw another clump of rather
larger trees in a dip half a mile behind her, and at
once moved to it, for there she thought that she
would be able to light a fire without fear of being
seen. She then again started for the village, and
found that, by keeping to a small ravine that came
down behind it, she could approach within three
hundred yards of it without running the risk of
being seen. This she did, taking advantage of every
rock.
From here Nita could see all that was going on
m the village. The men had already driven out
their cattle and other animals to the valley, the
women moved about gossiping. One of the houses
was larger than the others. This she guessed to be
the abode of the chief. For hours she lay watching
its upper windows, and at last, to her delight, saw
ESCAPED 67
a khaki-clad figure come to one of them and stand
for a time looking out. His air was listless, and as
the window was at the back of the house and
looked up the hill, there was but little to interest
him. Now that she had ascertained his room she
strolled away again and remained for the rest of
the day in the wood, practising with her bow and
arrows. Then she wrote on a sheet of her pocket-
book, of which she had not been deprived:
"Look out for me at eleven o'clock to-morrow
night. I will shoot up a string, there will be a
rope attached to it, strong enough to hold you, and
you can slide down it. Yours, Nita."
At ten o'clock she started from her hiding-place,
and at eleven reached the village. The house was
surrounded by a wall, but, as she hoped, the gate
was unbarred. It opened quietly, and, going round
to the back, she took post as far away from the
house as she could, and shot the arrow, on which
she had fastened her little note, at the window-
opening. At the third essay she was successful,
and the arrow went right into the room; then she
quietly withdrew. He was, she thought, certain
to see it when he awoke, as the rooms were gene-
rally very small, and he would, she hoped, be
certain to wake before any of the people of
the village entered his room. Carefully closing
the gate again behind her, she made her way back
68 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
to the wood, and lay down and slept till morning.
She passed the day in a state of feverish anxiety.
Now that success seemed almost certain she was
far more apprehensive of being discovered than
she had been before, and she spent the day at
the edge of the wood on the look-out for any
approaching figure. But the day passed as quietly
as the others had done, and as soon as it was dark
she strolled down to her look-out near the village,
carrying with her her bow and arrows, and the
rope.
It seemed to her that the village would never goto sleep that evening, but finally all became quiet
and the last light was extinguished. She waited
half an hour to allow the occupants of the village
to settle down. Then she ventured to move, and
in five minutes stood opposite to Carter's window.
It was, of course, without glass, being closed only
in cold weather by a blanket hanging before it.
The moonlight permitted her to see a figure
standing there. Four times she missed before
she succeeded in shooting an arrow into the room.
In a minute the string attached to it was pulled.
She then fastened the end of the rope to it. This
was drawn up by Carter, and a minute later he
slid down. As he came up to her she whispered
"Hush!", led the way out through the gate, and
ascended the ravine.
ESCAPED 69
Not until she was two or three hundred yards
away from the tower did she stop."My dear Miss Nita," he said,
"by what miracle
have you managed this?"" There is no miracle in it," she answered;
"I got
away, and naturally I was not going to leave with-
out you. I hope that you have quite recovered
from your wounds.""Quite," he said,
"though just at present I seem
hardly able to use my legs, for I have had no
exercise except what I could get in a room eight
feet square. However, I dare say that I shall
recover their use again before long. Where are
you taking me?"" To a wood a mile and a half away, where there
is a pony and provisions. When we get there we
must discuss which way we should go. It seems
to me that it would be better to cross the river and
go over the opposite hills. As far as I can make
out that leads away from the frontier, which is the
direction in which they will no doubt look for you,
as I am sure they are looking for me. They would
be certain to suppose that I should go that way.But I think you will know best, for you have
travelled about the country a good deal more
than I have.""I really don't know what to say in the way of
thanks," he began after a pause.
70 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
" You will make me very angry if you thank me
at all; you may admit, however, that girls can be
of some good sometimes, and are not meant only to
be looked at."
" I will never say anything against their courage
again," the young officer said." Now tell me how
you have fared, and how you succeeded in getting
away."" I got on fairly well. The chief's wife was a harri-
dan, but her husband rather took me under his pro-
tection, and insisted on my having fair treatment.
I think he was rather uneasy as to the consequences
of his attack on the fort, and wished to keep in well
with me. So I was fairly fed and allowed a certain
amount of liberty in the village during the day.
They did not seem to have any suspicion that I
was likely to try to escape. They were confident,
I think, that I should not be able to cross the
mountains alone. Therefore I was able to collect
stores little by little. The chief's magazines were
generally open during the day, and I own that I
robbed them shamelessly. Then I had but to slip
away after the house was asleep. I had collected
a sackful of flour and meal, some grain, and a few
cheeses, for I knew that I might have to live a long
time before I could discover the place where youwere confined, and even if I were lucky enough to
do so without much waste of time, we might have to
ESCAPED 71
exist a considerable period among the hills before
we got to the frontier."
"But how on earth could you carry such a
weight?"" I made friends with a pony by treating him to
handfuls of grain, and had no difficulty in getting
him to follow me; and a large skin full of water
very fairly balanced the sack of provisions. I
annexed two of the chief's robes and turbans and
four or five blankets. So we start under good
auspices. Of course I brought that rope that youcame down by, and a rifle and ammunition which
were in a corner of the chief's room. I wish I
could have brought a rifle for you, but there was
not one handy, and I was sorry that I could not
get my revolver; but that fell to the share of
someone else when all our goods were taken after
the fight.""Splendid, splendid ! But how did you find the
place where I was confined?""I picked up a little of the language, and learned
that the chief in whose hands you were, lived
about fifteen miles away, nearly due west; that
the village stood on the hillside, and was strongly
fortified. And I was fortunate enough in light-
ing upon it without much difficulty, and, lying
hidden a short distance away, was not long in
making you out at the window. The rest was,
72 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
of course, easy. Now I put the command into
your hands.""No, you followed my orders when I was in
command of the fort, and now you have escaped
yourself and freed me, you have shown such a
capacity that I certainly do not wish to interfere
with your plans. I think that what you proposed,
namely, that we should cross the river and strike
into the mountains away from the frontier, is the
best, and we should hold on in the same direction as
long as we are able before trying to strike down.
I have no doubt the search for us both will be very
hot for the next week or ten days, but it is certain
to be pursued on the downward track, as they will
make sure that we have made off in that direction.
The news that I have also got away will not be
long crossing the hills to your village, and they
will have no difficulty in connecting the two events,
and will think that when they catch one, that they
are sure to catch the other. Is this wood the place
where your pony is hidden?""Yes, I have given him a good meal, and he will
be ready to start as soon as we have loaded him
up. It is fortunate, indeed, that we have the moon,
and shall therefore have no trouble in keeping the
right direction."
In five minutes they were moving, and made
their way down to the river. At Nita's suggestion
ESCAPED 73
they kept up the stream for about a mile and then
struck across for the hills. By morning they were
fifteen miles away in extremely rocky and preci-
pitous country. Here they halted for some hours,
and then made their way downhill. They found
that they were in fact travelling along near the edge
of a precipice, at whose foot a stream ran between
lofty cliffs. So steeply did the hills slope down
to the edge of the precipice, that they could only
travel with extreme caution; and even the pony,sure-footed as it was, had difficulty in keeping its
feet. At length, however, the slope became more
gradual, and the ravine widened out into a valley,
apparently about half a mile wide and a mile long.
They chose a dip in the descent, and found when
they arrived at the bottom that they were com-
pletely sheltered from the view of anyone passing
along the valley. But that the ravine was to some
extent used was evident from the fact that a few
cattle were scattered about.
"I think that we shall be obliged to confiscate
one of these animals for our own use," Carter said:
"a diet of flour and grain would be apt to pall a
little even when varied by cheese, and our eventual
success depends on our keeping up our strength.""I quite agree with you," Nita said;
" one thing is
certain, however, that meat will be of no use to us
until we can light a fire to cook it."
74 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
" I think that we shall be able to manage that,"
he said." You see this depression, which looks as
if it had once been a water-hole, is eight or ten feet
below the level of the hillside; that's the very place
we want for cooking. They will not see the fire
itself, but only its light reflected on the groundabove us; but I think if we collect stones, and build
a circular wall, say four feet in diameter and a few
feet high, with a small opening at the foot for
feeding the fire and putting on the meat, there
will be no fear of any reflection falling on the
hillside."
"No, I should think that that would do very
well," Nita agreed." We have another two hours
of daylight, and as the hill is everywhere scattered
with rocks and boulders we ought to make con-
siderable progress with our oven in that time.""Well, will you please sit down, then, and I will
collect stones. This depression is scattered pretty
thickly with them.""Oh, but you must let me do my share of the
work," Nita said;
"I am just as keen to have a
piece of roast beef as you are. At any rate I will
gather up the smaller stones, and as soon as it
becomes dark, will go out and cut some brushwood
with the sword-bayonet."" But I have no matches," Carter said, in a tone
of dismay.
ROUGH TRAVELLING 75
" I have some," Nita said;" not many, but a dozen
or so. I put some loose into the pocket of the tunic,
so that I could at once get a light in case of a sudden
attack; I had no time even to think of them when
the Afridis broke into the fort, but I did think of
them when I got to the village, for I saw that if I
could make my escape they would be of great use."
"They certainly will be invaluable," Carter said.
" We will get the wall up as high as we can and
then spread brushwood over the top. This will
help to deaden the reflection, but will allow the
smoke to escape freely.
They worked very hard till it became dark, bywhich time the rough wall was some three feet
high."Now," he said,
"if you will lend me the sword-
bayonet I will go out meat -hunting, while youcollect fuel for the cooking and for covering over
the top of the oven.
CHAPTER VI
ROUGH TRAVELLING
BARTER was away two hours, and he returned,
V7 carrying a prime joint of beef." I was lucky
in finding an animal that was lying down. I
76 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
stalked him from behind, and came upon him
before he could spring on to his feet and get into
motion."" That is good indeed," Nita said,
" but what have
you done with the remainder?"" He was fortunately lying near the river. I
cut the remainder of the carcass up into a number
of pieces and threw them all into the stream, which
is strong and rapid enough to carry them awaydown the pass before morning. Of course the
owners will light upon the blood, but will most
likely put it down that the beast has been killed
by a bear from the mountains. How have youbeen getting on?"
"I made a fire at once and have laid in a good
stock of fuel, and have got a batch of chupaties
almost ready for eating. They would have been
better if I had had a little of that beef fat to mix
with them, but I shall be thankful for them as they
are, after having eaten nothing but unground corn
for the last four days. Now will you please cut
off some slices for spitting over the fire? I have
never done any work of that sort, and I am afraid
that I should make a very poor hand at it."
In a couple of minutes four good-sized slices of
meat were grilling over the fire.
" We have neither salt nor mustard," Nita said
merrily, as her companion placed two of the savoury
ROUGH TRAVELLING 77
slices on the chupaties. As neither had knives,
and the sword-bayonet was a somewhat clumsyinstrument for feeding with, they were reduced to
making unaided use of their teeth. However, the
meal was a merry one, and their spirits rose high
at the thought that they were again free, and that
with good fortune it might not be long before they
rejoined their friends.
After the meal was over they had a consultation
on the best course to be pursued, and finally agreed
to travel west for some time and then to turn south
towards the frontier. They would thus at least,
they thought, farther throw their pursuers off the
track, and would then only have to run the ordinary
risk of detection from the tribes through whose
territory they passed.
They discussed their prospects for the next day's
march, but finally decided to take a day's rest.
Nita had suffered much from the anxiety, and the
very long journey had told on her, and as the spot
where they then were was well hidden, it was
improbable in the extreme that any of the herds-
men or passers through the valley would be at all
likely to come upon them.
After their meal and talk, Carter made a shelter
tent of the large blanket for Nita, and wrappinghimself up in another rug, lay down a short
distance away.
78 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
The next day passed quietly. They had not
replenished the fire when they lay down, nor was
it necessary to light one in the morning, as they
had purposely cooked sufficient to last them for
a couple of days. Towards evening they observed
three or four herdsmen gathered by the stream
at the point where Carter had killed the bullock
the night before. They were evidently greatly
puzzled at the occurrence, and from their gestures
while Carter was watching them, he formed the
conclusion that the theory of its being carried
away by a bear did not find much acceptance
among them. "However," he said, on returning to
Nita, who had been having a nap, "they won't
start off on a search this afternoon, and before
morning we shall be well away. We sha'n't want
to repeat the offence for some little time, for the
store of meat we now have ought to last us for
seven or eight days, that is to say if it does not
get bad before that, but I should think that upin these high altitudes it would keep for some
time."
Two hours before daylight they were on the
move. The water-skin was refilled at the river,
and they put a bundle of firewood on the top of the
sack, as they could be by no means certain of find-
ing water and wood on the way. They were so far
up the hillside by the time the sun rose that they
ROUGH TRAVELLING 79
had no fear of their appearance being noticed by
people in the valley that they had left. They went
on merrily, laughing and joking, and were de-
lighted with their progress, though at times the
cold was severe in the extreme. They met with no
signs of a pass or even the smallest track. Some-
times Carter would ascend to some point which
commanded a view of the line that they were
following; at others they came to precipices so
steep that they had to make a detour of miles
before they found a place where a descent could
be made into a ravine which, as a rule, was but
a water -course covered with boulders of every
shape and size.
After some days of perpetual toil, they agreed
at their camp-fire at night, that they must now
have got far enough west and could strike for the
south.
"I suppose you have no idea whatever how far
the frontier is, Charlie?"" Not in the slightest. I don't even know how
far it was from Darlinger to the village, for I was
insensible during most of the journey.""It took us six days, Charlie, and I suppose the
two villages where we were confined were about
the same distance from Darlinger."
"What rate did you travel?""I fancy about forty miles the first day, but
80 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
considerably less afterwards, making it somewhere
between one hundred and fifty and two hundred
miles."
"Yes, I suppose so, but of course the calcu-
lation is mere guesswork, and it may be forty
or fifty miles out. Since escaping we have only
steered by the sun, and may be a good deal north
or south of due west. Besides, we have made such
bends and turns as would make it impossible to
keep anything like a true reckoning. However,
suppose we call it two hundred miles from here to
Darlinger, we shall be lucky if, travelling amongthe hills, we don't have to go twice that distance.
Certainly, unless we get into a very different
country from that through which we have been
travelling so far, ten miles a day is the extreme
that we can calculate upon."" In that case, Charlie, even if all goes well it
will be from forty to fifty days before I see mydear father."
"But I think we shall travel a good bit faster
than that," Carter said encouragingly. "Every-where through these mountains are valleys, some
of them of considerable size, and containing a dozen
or more villages. Of course when we come uponthese we could travel at night, and ought to be
able to do from twenty to thirty miles. We could
not have done that at first, but the practice we
ROUGH TRAVELLING 81
have had at this work has put us into first-rate
marching condition."
"Yes, except my feet, Charlie; think of my poor
feet. My shoes are fast disappearing, and I don't
know what I shall do when they come quite to
pieces."
"I must kill a goat and make a pair of sandals
for you of its skin."
"Thank you, Charlie, that would be first rate;
still, these shoes will do for a bit yet, and I am a
little doubtful as to your capabilities as a shoe-
maker. Well, I think we shall do better to-morrow.
From the high ridge we last crossed I could see
a large valley in front of us, and I am not sure
but I saw villages."
"Then your eyes are sharper than mine are; I
saw the valley, but I failed to make out anythinglike habitations. However, in any case, we are not
likely to go very fast to-morrow, for I should say
that we must be still some fifteen miles from the
valley."" Oh well, one day will not make any very great
difference. We will go on as long as it is light
enough to see, and then camp for the night, godown the next day to a point low in the hills, and
can either camp for the night or stop twenty-four
hours."
" I certainly vote for the halt," Carter said,"I am
(B286) F
82 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
sure that we deserve it. How did you think the
valley lay?""I should think, from the appearance of the hills
behind it, that it must run north and south, which
is the right direction for us."
"Probably when we get to the other end," Carter
said," we shall find a track of some sort, through
which we can pass into the next valley. I don't
know whether there is much traffic between these
villages; if so, we shall have to travel at night;
if not, we can risk it and go on by day. I hopethe latter will be the case. It will be bad enough
finding our way along the valleys now that there
is no moon, and we should make very slow work
of it on the tracks connecting them on a dark
night."
"We shall have a new moon this afternoon,"
Nita said.
"Yes, it was full the night that I stood at the
window, and that is a fortnight ago to-day.""It will be splendid, Charlie, if it gets even half
full, then we shall make good travelling, whatever
ground we are crossing over. At any rate, when
we get into the valley you will let me carry the
rifle, won't you? You insisted on taking it, you
know; but if it comes to fighting, I have a right
to it, haven't I?"
"Certainly you have, and as you are a very
ROUGH TRAVELLING 83
much better shot than I am, it will be more
valuable in your hands than in mine."
The following evening they camped some three
miles from the valley. The next day they only
moved to a spot where they commanded a full
view of it. They thought it was some twentymiles long and contained many villages.
"Thank goodness there is a river running down
it," Nita said; "that will be some guide, anyhow.There are only one or two villages on the banks, as
far as I can see, the rest are on the hillsides."
They started as soon as it was dark, made their
way down into the valley, and, striking the river,
kept along down it; not keeping close, however, for
the course meandered so much that it would add
very greatly to the distance to be travelled.
"There is the north star," Carter said; "if we keepit on the same hand and steer by it we sha'n't be
very far out."
They plodded steadily on. More than once theywould have walked into a village, but were warned
of its exact position by the barking of dogs.
However, after what seemed an almost interminable
journey they arrived at the end of the valley as
morning was breaking. They found that a pathran up the hill in front of them. As soon as theyhad satisfied themselves about its position they en-
tered a grove close by it and camped there. Eating
84 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
a chupatie or two from the store she had cooked the
evening before, Nita threw herself down and fell
asleep at once. Carter, however, placed himself
on watch near the edge of the wood. Four times
during the day parties of two or three men went
up the path, and this led him to believe that the
next valley could not be far away, and that a
good deal of communication was kept up with the
one they were now in. Late in the afternoon Nita
opened her eyes. She looked about for a minute
or two before she caught sight of her companion.
She at once went up to him.
"You don't mean to say, Charlie, that you have
been watching all this time while I have been
asleep?"
"It was absolutely necessary to keep watch," he
said, "and I was very glad to do so. It was nothing
to me to miss a night's sleep."
"I am very angry with you," she said, "and insist
on taking my turn in future. Now you must lie
down at once without a minute's delay. The sun
is already getting low, and we cannot have more
than three hours before it is time to start. I sup-
pose it is not very necessary to stand quite still
and watch all the time?"
"By no means. From this point you can see well
down the valley, and would be able to make out anyone approaching at some distance."
ROUGH TRAVELLING 85
"Very well, then, I will get some meat cooked.
I am sorry to say that we have come to our last
piece. It has held out a good deal better than we
expected."
"I have no doubt that we shall be able to re-
plenish it," he said; "there are a considerable
number of cattle in these valleys."
Three hours later they again set out. It was in
manj7places very difficult to keep to the path, and
they had to hark back several times, but at length
they began to descend so rapidly that they felt that
they could be but a small distance from the next
valley. They therefore halted and sat down till
daylight broke, and then moved away from the
path to a mass of great boulders, among which
they lay up for the day. Three more valleys were
passed in safety. Carter had succeeded in replen-
ishing their supply of meat, and the water-skin
was regularly filled whenever they got the chance.
"Things are going on first-rate," Nita said, when
they halted early one morning.
"Yes, but we must not expect them always to goso well. This valley is getting larger. The houses
are more carefully built, and it is, no doubt, in-
habited by an increased population. You see, the
robes that we are wearing will do well enough to
pass at a distance, but they would not bear close
inspection."
86 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
The next evening, emboldened by their good
fortune, they started some time before the sun was
down, and at a sudden turn in the pass came uponthree Afridis.
"Walk straight on," Carter said.
Nita happened to be carrying the rifle, while
Charlie had been obliged to lead the pony. The
men paused when within twenty yards of them,
and then a sudden exclamation broke from the
party, and one raised his rifle and shouted, "Whoare you?""We are travellers on our way to our homes,
twenty miles off."
"You lie," the man said, pointing his gun at them,
"you are not natives of the country."
Nita had thrown her rifle forward and fired at
the same instant as the native. His bullet knocked
off her turban, while she shot him through the
body. With a shout of rage the other two men
raised their rifles, but one fell dead before he could
get it to his shoulder. The other fired a shot and
then fled with the agility of a deer, getting cover
in a moment round a sharp corner of the defile.
"It is unfortunate, but there was nothing else
to be done," Carter said; "now what is our best
course?"
Nita stood a minute without speaking, and then
said:
ROUGH TRAVELLING 87
"My opinion is that we had better find some
spot to hide as close here as possible."
"Hide as close to this place as possible?" Carter
said, in surprise. "I should have thought that wehad better turn down the pass at once, or push on."
"I do not think so," Nita said; "we must take it
as certain that the man who has fled will return as
quickly as possible with twenty or thirty others.
As they will not see us on our way here they will
suppose that we have either returned or have taken
to the hills, one side or the other; they would never
think of searching close here."
" You are right," Carter said." What do you say
to that pile of boulders on the right?"" That will do excellently, if we can find a place
among them."" We are sure to be able to do that by moving
two or three of them. We have probably got a
couple of hours to make our preparations."
Accordingly they set to work at once, and by
using their united strength, managed to move
enough of them to make a first-rate place of conceal-
ment for themselves and the pony. The animal's
legs were fastened, and it was made to lie down,
and they took their places beside it. Carter went
down the path, and looked at the hiding-place
from all sides, in order that he might feel sure that
it could not be made out from any point close by.
88 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
The heap of boulders lay at the foot of a steep
precipice, and it was evident that no one from
above could approach near enough to the edge to
look down upon them. Having made sure of this
he returned to the hiding-place. Three-quarters of
an hour passed, and then a score of wild figures
armed with rifles, muskets, and other weapons
appeared round the corner of the pass.
Carter took a glimpse at what was going on.
There was an excited conversation; some of the
men pointed to the hills on both sides, while some
were evidently of opinion that their assailants,
whoever they were, had returned to the valley
beyond. Finally they broke up into three parties,
seven or eight men going on each side, while the
remainder pushed on along the path. Half an hour
later another sixteen men came up and also divided,
half climbing the hills on either side. But night
was now falling. For some time the shouts of
the searchers could be heard, but these gradually
ceased as the men abandoned the hunt as hopeless
for the night. They came down in twos and
threes, until presently the fugitives were con-
vinced that all had returned.
"It was certainly an admirable plan of yours,
Miss Ackworth, and has completely thrown them
off the scent. Now we had better be going. The
moon gives us enough light to make our way, and
ROUGH TRAVELLING 89
we must be as far as possible from here before
morning, when, no doubt, the men of this valley,
and perhaps the one that we have just quitted, will
turn out in search of us."
"I am quite ready," Nita said, "and I have no
doubt the pony is too. His sack has been getting
lighter and lighter every day, and I think that we
haven't more than thirty or forty pounds left, and
as we have always been able to get water, I don't
think that there is more than enough in the water-
skin to balance the sack."
"I am sorry that the provisions are getting
short," Carter said, "but it is an immense advan-
tage, in climbing about among these hills, to have
such a light burden. The pony ought to be able
to make its way wherever we can, so, as we don't
want to cut ourselves adrift from the valleys, I
should say that we had better work round the foot
of the hills, in which case we ought to be well to
the south of the next valley before day breaks.
Fortunately they can have no idea who we are.
That we are strangers, and curious ones, they of
course know, but we are so far out of the road
which they would think the escaped prisoners
would take, that it is not at all likely that theywill in any way associate us with them, even
if they have heard of our escape, which is very
improbable. They will therefore have nothing to
90 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
indicate the road we are taking. All they really
do know of us is that we have a rifle, and can
shoot straight."
CHAPTER VII
A SKIRMISH
THEYstarted at once, not trying to mount the
hillside above the point where they had been
hidden, but to keep along as far as possible at the
same height. After making their way painfully
for a couple of hours, they came to a spot from
which they could see the valley below them.
They then gradually made their way down till
only two or three hundred feet above its bottom,
and then kept along its side. In the still night
air they could hear many voices, and knew that
the coming of these mysterious and dangerous visi-
tors was being warmly discussed. Lights burned
much later than was usual in the villages, but at
last these altogether disappeared, and they ven-
tured still lower, keeping, however, a sharp look-
out for any villages situated on the spurs. The
valley was not above eight or ten miles long, and
they were well past it before morning dawned.
The country they now entered was a little more
A SKIRMISH 91
precipitous and rugged than that they had recently
passed, and they agreed that it would be impossible
to climb over it, and that they would have to make
use of the pass. They therefore chose a good
hiding-place some distance up on the hill. It was
sheltered from behind by a precipice, at whose foot
grew a clump of bushes of considerable size.
"We cannot do better than this," Carter said," and as the people will be starting in search of us in
less than an hour we have no farther time to look
for another hiding-place, and, indeed, I don't think
that we should be likely to find a better one if we
did. There is one comfort: however numerously
they turn out, they will take care not to scatter
much, in view of the lesson you gave them, and
unless they do scatter, their chance of lighting uponus is small indeed. I don't suppose their heart will
be very much in the business, except on the part
of the relatives of the men you shot, who are, after
all, as likely to belong to the valley we left as to
this one. These tribesmen are good fighters when
their liberty is threatened, but they are not veryfond of putting themselves into danger.
"I feel much more comfortable," Carter continued,
"now I am no longer condemned to go about
unarmed. It was a grand idea taking the rifles
of those two men we shot. The pony carries one,
and I carry the other."
92 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
" But you have carried one all the time."
"Yes, but as I was under orders to hand it over to
you whenever you wanted it, it has not been any
great satisfaction to me. Now I can feel that I can
play my part, and although these Martinis are not
quite as good as your Lee-Metford, they are quite
good enough for all practical purposes, and with
your magazine always in readiness we ought to be
able to give a good account of ourselves."
The day passed quietly. Parties of men were
seen moving about on the hills, but none came
near them. At night they went forward again,
but moved with great caution, as it was possible
that as fugitives could hardly get across the
mountains the Afridis might keep a watch in the
pass. They had crossed the highest point, and were
descending, when they saw rising before them, bythe side of the path, an old Buddhist temple.
When within a short distance from it half a dozen
men jumped out and fired a volley. The shots all
went wide, but the reply was not so futile. Four
men fell, and the rest, appalled by the heavy loss,
fled down the hill.
"That is sharp," Carter said, "but soon over.
However, this is but the beginning of it; they will
carry the news down to the next valley, and we shall
be besieged here. However, fortunately, it appears
to be very steep on both sides of the temple, and I
A SKIRMISH 93
don't think even the Afridis, firm-footed as they are,
will be able to climb the hill and get behind us."
"But we can no more get up than they can."
"No, but at least it will give us only one side to
defend, and we can keep an eye on the hills and
pick off any who try to make their way along the
top, and if the worst comes to the worst we must
retire down the pass again to-night, and try to strike
out somewhere over the hills. It doesn't much
matter which way so that we get out of this neigh-
bourhood, which is becoming altogether too hot for
us."
Daylight was just breaking when a number of
men were seen coming up the pass. The two fugi-
tives had already ensconced themselves and their
pony in the temple, and had posted themselves at
two of the narrow windows. Nita shouted, "Keep
away, or it will be worse for you. We don't want
to hurt you, if you will leave us alone, but if youattack us we shall defend ourselves."
The answer was a volley of shots, to which the
defenders of the temple did not reply, as they were
anxious not to waste a cartridge. Emboldened bythe silence, the enemy gradually approached, keeping
up a steady fire. When they were within eighty
yards the defenders answered steadily and deliber-
ately. By the time twenty rounds had been fired
the enemy were in full flight, leaving six dead
94 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
upon the ground, while several of the others were
wounded.
"I expect that will sicken them effectually,"
Carter said, "and that, at any rate, they will not
attempt to renew the attack until it becomes dark
again. I think we had better wait an hour and
see what they intend doing."
The hour was just up when a white figure was
seen high up on the hillside, making his way
cautiously along the face of the precipitous hill.
"What is the distance, do you think?" Carter
said.
"Five to six hundred yards, I should say."
"I suppose it is about that. Well, he must be
stopped if possible." And, levelling his rifle, he took
a long steady aim and fired. The man was seen to
start as the bullet sung up close to him. "You can
beat that, Nita," he said in a tone of disgust.
"I will try, anyhow," she said, "but the range
puzzles one, the man being so far above us." She
steadied her rifle against a stone and fired. The
man was seen to disappear behind a rock.
"A splended shot!" Carter exclaimed.
"I am not sure that I hit him, I think he fell at
the flash. However, there is a space between that
stone and the boulder ahead of it."
It was five minutes before any movement was
seen, then the man started forward suddenly. Nita
A SKIRMISH 95
was kneeling with her rifle aimed at a spot half-way
between the stones, and as he crossed she pressed
the trigger. This time there was no mistake; the
man fell forward on his face and lay there immov-
able.
"I have no doubt that they are watching down
below, and when they see him fall no one will care
to follow his example. Now I think we had better
be moving. We must risk meeting people comingover the pass. If we can get over the worst of it,
we must hide and then climb the mountain, on
whichever side appears easiest."
No time was lost. It was still early, for daylight
was scarcely breaking when the attack had taken
place. Leaving the temple they started at once
travelling as fast as the pony could pick its way
along the steep path. Two hours later they saw,
far in the distance, two men coming up. There was
fortunately some shelter near, and here they took
refuge and lay hidden until the men had passed
them, and then continued their journey. Theywere three parts of the way down the pass, when
on their right-hand side they saw a slope that
seemed practicable, and they made their way up
slowly and cautiously till they reached a plateau,
the mountain still rising steeply in front of them.
They travelled along this plateau, and presently
saw an opening in the mountain range. They
96 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
halted now, lit a fire in a hollow, and cooked some
food, and then, confident that they were well be-
yond the area likely to be searched, they lay
down to sleep.
A start was made at daybreak. They found the
difficulty of crossing the range enormous, and had
frequently to retrace their steps, but at last struck
the head of a small ravine and decided to follow it
down. Late in the evening they found themselves
at a spot where the ravine widened into a valley.
They waited until morning, when they were able to
obtain a view down this. It was of on very great
extent about a quarter of a mile wide and half a
mile long, and contained but a few houses. Theyremained quiet all day, and at nightfall moved along
the valley on the side opposite to the village. Theyfound that a small stream ran through it, and they
decided to follow its course, the next morning halt-
ing well beyond the valley in a deep gorge.
"It is strange," Nita said, as they settled them-
selves for a rest, "how these narrow gorges can
have cut their way through the mountains.""Yes; it can only be that ages since these valleys
were all deep lakes. At the time of the melting of
the snows they overflowed. No doubt in some
places the strata were softer than others, and here
the water began to cut a groove, which grew deeper
and deeper till at last the lake was empty. Then
A SKIRMISH 97
of course the work stopped and the water would
run off as fast as it fell."
"It must have taken an enormous time," Nita
said,"for the hills bordering the ravines must in
some places be three or four thousand feet deep.""Fully that. It certainly gives us a wonderful
idea of the age of the world, and the tremendous
power exercised by water; in dry weather these
ravines formed the chief roads of the country,
though some, no doubt, are so blocked with boulders
fallen from above, or washed down by torrents,
that they cannot be used by laden animals. I fancy
there is not much communication between the
valleys. They are governed by their chiefs, and it
is only in cases of common danger that they ever
act together. They prize their independence above
everything, and are ready to gather from all parts
of the country for common defence. No Euro-
pean except ourselves, I feel certain, has ever
entered these valleys, and the inhabitants are
absolutely convinced that their ravines and passes
are impregnable. No doubt at some time or other
the British will be driven to send an expedition
to convince them to the contrary. I think that
if there were no such things as guns their belief
in their impregnability would be well justified.
The men are brave and hardy, and thoroughlyunderstand how to take advantage of the wonder-
(B286) O
98 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
ful facilities of their ground for defence, and even
in the most remote valleys they have managed to
accumulate a store of first-rate rifles.
" How they have got them is a mystery. Agood many, perhaps, have been carried off bydeserters from our frontier regiments. Many of
these enlist for this purpose alone. They serve
faithfully for a time, but at the first opportunity
make off with their rifle. Still, numerous as these
desertions are, they would not account for a tithe
of the rifles in the hands of the tribesmen. Some,
I fancy, must be landed by rascally British dealers,
in the Persian Gulf, or on the coast of Beluchistan.
Some have been imported by traders from India.
At any rate it is unquestionable that a vast number
of rifles are in the hands of the Afridis, and will
give us a world of trouble when we set ourselves
in earnest to deprive them of them."
"I wonder the government doesn't forbid the
exportation of rifles altogether," Nita said indig-
nantly."It would be well if they did so, but there are
difficulties in the way. The Indian princes buythem in large quantities for their followers, and
nominally they are no doubt imported for that
purpose, but when well up country they are taken
north and disposed of to the Afridis, who are ready
to pay any price for them, for an Afridi values
A SKIRMISH 99
nothing as he does a good rifle, and he would
willingly exchange wife or child to get possession
of one."
" But nobody wants to buy a wife or child," Nita
said."It doesn't seem to me that they possess any
sort of property that could pay for the rifles bythe time they got into the country."
"I fancy they are paid for largely in cattle.
Herds are driven down the country, and no watch
that we can keep can prevent the traffic. The
cattle are always consigned to some large town
well past the frontier, where the rifles can easily
be handed over."
"I think it ought to be stopped altogether," Nita
said indignantly; "the people of the towns can do
very well without Afridi cattle, and if not, they
should be made to. It would be much better for
them to have to pay an anna extra a pound for
their meat, than for us to have to spend hundreds
of lives and millions of pounds in getting the rifles
back again.""Yes, there are many things that we soldiers,
who are only here to do the fighting, can make
neither head nor tail of. If India were governed
by soldiers instead of civilians, things would be
very differently managed. As it is, we can only
wonder and grumble. The authorities are so
mightily afraid of injuring the susceptibilities of
100 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
the natives that they pamper them in every way,and even when it is manifest that the whole of
the community suffer by their so doing. It is
the more ridiculous, because, in the old days, their
own rulers paid not the slightest attention to these
same susceptibilities, or to the likes or dislikes of
their subjects.""It is all very strange," Nita said,
" and very
unaccountable.""Everyone on the frontier knows that sooner or
later we shall have to deal with the Afridis, and
that it will be an enormously difficult and ex-
pensive business, and will cost an immense amount
of life."
"Don't let us talk about it any more; it makes
me out of all patience to think of such folly."
The journey was resumed the next morning, and
continued day after day and week after week.
Sometimes they were obliged to turn quite out of
their direct course, and they had to run consider-
able risks to get fresh supplies for themselves and
forage for the pony. Both were obtained by
entering villages at night, and filling their sack
from stacks of grain and forage. The grain they
pounded between flat stones as they sat by their
fire, and so made a coarse meal, which they
generally boiled into a sort of porridge, their
sauce-pans being gourds cut in the fields. Meat
A SKIRMISH 101
they had no difficulty about, as Carter managed,when necessary, to kill a bullock and take sufficient
meat for ten days' supply.
They seldom caught sight of a villager when
travelling through the valleys, for the Afridis have
a marked objection to moving about after nightfall.
Once or twice one or two of them approached them,
but Carter raised such a loud and threatening roar,
that they in each case retreated with all speed to
their village, which they filled with alarm with
tales of having encountered strange and terrible
creatures.
Gradually the difficulties decreased, the moun-
tains became less precipitous, the valleys larger
and more thickly inhabited, a matter which caused
them no inconvenience as they always traversed
them at night. During their journey Carter had
filled Nita's note-book with sketches and maps,
which, as the country was wholly unexplored,
would be of great advantage to an advancing armywhen properly copied out on a large scale. He was
clever with his pencil, and Nita used to be greatly
interested in his lively little sketches of the scenery
through which they passed.
"It will be very useful to me," he said; "and in
the event of troops having to march through this
district, should go a long way towards securingme a staff appointment, for in such a case these
102 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
sketches and maps would be invaluable, and I
should get no end of credit for them."
"So you ought to," Nita said; "you have taken
a lot of pains about them, and anyone with those
maps should be able to find their way back by the
route we have come.""I have my doubts about that," he said
;
" that is,
if I were not with them to point out the places we
have passed. I should find it difficult myself, for
we have come by a very devious road. Of course,
I have had no chance whatever of getting compass
bearings, and have only been able to put them in
by the position of the sun. And besides, a great
part of our journey has been done by night.
Although, of course, I can indicate the general
direction of the valleys through which we have
passed, our routes at night among the mountains
are necessarily little more than guesswork, for
except when we had the moon we have practically
nothing else to tell us of our position., or the
direction in which we were going."" We had the stars," Nita said.
"Yes, when I get back and work out the position
of the stars it will, of course, help me a great deal,
and the pole-star especially has been of immense
use to us. In fact, had it not been for that star we
should not, except when there was a moon, have
been able to travel."
A SKIRMISH 103
"I am sure it will all come right when you work
it out," Nita said confidently, "and that you will
get an immense deal of credit for it. It has been
a jolly time, hasn't it, in spite of the hard work
and the danger? I know that I have had a capital
time of it; and as to my health, I feel as strong as
a horse, and fit to walk any distance, especially
since my feet have got so hard.""It is a time that I shall always look back upon,
Nita, as one of my most pleasant memories. You
have been such a splendid comrade, thanks to your
pluck and good spirits, and no words can express
how much I feel indebted to you."
"Oh, that is all nonsense!" she said; "of course
I have done my best, but that was very little."
" You may not think so, but in reality I owe younot only my escape, and the various suggestions
which have been of so much use to us, as, for
example, our hiding in that place close to the road
instead of starting up into the hills, where we
should have certainly been overtaken; but youhave helped on many another occasion too, to say
nothing of the constant cheeriness of your com-
panionship. It has certainly been very strange,
a young man and a girl thus wandering about
together, but somehow it has scarcely felt strange
to me. The defence of the fort brought us very
close to each other, and was so far fortunate that it
104 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
prepared us for this business. However, I agree
most thoroughly with you, that in spite of the hard-
ships and dangers we have had to go through, our
companionship has been a very pleasant one."
"Oh, dear!" Nita sighed;
" how disgusting it will
be to have to put on girl's clothes again, and settle
down into being stiff and proper ! Fancy having to
learn school lessons again after all this."
CHAPTER VIII
DARLINGER AGAIN
AT length they came upon a burned village,
whose walls showed the marks of cannon-shot
and shrapnel. The towers had been blown up, and
the valley appeared to be entirely deserted.
"This is a good sign!" Carter exclaimed; "this
work is evidently quite recent, and no doubt is the
result of a punitive expedition sent out to revenge
the destruction of the fort. I expect from here
onwards we shall find that every village has been
destroyed. Of course, we must still travel cau-
tiously; the natives will doubtless be returning and
setting about rebuilding their homes still, we are
not likely to meet many of them."
Continuing their journey, they found traces of
DARLINGEB AGAIN 105
fire and sword everywhere." The work has been
done well and thoroughly," Carter said;
" there is
not a roof left standing. I have no doubt every
village on our frontier has been visited and pun-ished. It was the most serious attack that has
been made for years on one of our border forts,
and you may be sure that no pains have been
spared to make the punishment proportionate to
the offence. There will not be many rifles left in
this part of the country, for you may be sure that
all will have to be handed in. I don't want to run
any risks, but if we did fall in with the natives
I should doubt if, after this punishment, any of
them would dare to meddle with us."
Presently, indeed, they did meet a party consisting
of a dozen natives. These were evidently returning
to their homes. They were armed only with old
muskets, and, seeing the three rifles carried by the
strangers, they simply saluted and walked on.
" We may fairly consider ourselves among friends,
at least among men who no longer venture to be
enemies. I fancy I know this village, It is about
fifty or sixty miles from the fort; I rode out here
with a troop to demand the instant surrender of
some cattle that had been stolen from across the
frontier. The country is fairly open all the way,
and we shall have no difficulty whatever with the
rest of our journey."
106 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
They now pressed forward with all haste, travel-
ling by day, and towards evening, two days later,
they made out, far away on the plain, a group of
white tents. As they came nearer they saw that
a considerable number of men were employed in
rebuilding the houses in the fort, and in addingadditional works round them. The sun was just
setting as they arrived at the edge of the camp.
Evident surprise was caused among the soldiers
at the appearance of two officers in khaki. Their
uniforms were in ribbons, and so dirty and travel-
stained that it was difficult to make out that they
were officers. Presently one of the soldiers recog-
nized Carter and raised a shout, and immediately
the soldiers flocked round them, cheering loudly at
the reappearance of their officer, who they had
deemed was killed at the capture of the fort.
No one noticed Nita, who, seized with a new
shyness, followed Carter, who could move but
slowly, for the soldiers pressed forward to salute
him. Soon some officers appeared on the scene,
and these too gave the lieutenant an enthusiastic
welcome.
"Who is it you have with you?" one of these
asked.
"I will explain to you later on," Carter said.
"At present I want to go to the major's tent. I
hope he is here."
DARLINGER AGAIN 107
"Yes, he is here, poor fellow, but he is quite a
changed man. He is frightfully cut up at the loss
of his daughter."" Did he find her body?" Carter asked innocently."No, it was doubtless among those destroyed by
fire in the mess-house. We thought that you were
there also, for on uncovering the ruins we found
nothing but a charred mass of bodies utterly un-
recognizable. There, that is the major's tent. Heis standing at the door, waiting, no doubt, to as-
certain the cause of the hubbub."
As Carter approached the entrance to the tent,
the major stepped forward, having gathered from
the shouting who the ragged figure approachinghim was. He shook the lieutenant cordially by the
hand.
"I am glad, indeed, to find that you are alive,
Carter," he said."Everyone thought that there
was not a single survivor of the massacre; thoughwe hear now that the havildar and one of the menwere taken prisoners, and only last week we sent
off into the mountains to offer terms for their
ransom."
"I will enter your tent, if you will allow me,
major. I have something of importance to tell
you."
The major entered, followed by Carter, with Nita
three or four paces behind him. The major, who
108 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
had not before noticed the lieutenant's young
companion, looked at the youthful figure in sur-
prise. Then he staggered a pace or two back as
Nita, holding out her hands, exclaimed," Don't
you know me, father?"
With a hoarse cry the major held out his arms
and Nita ran into them, while Carter at once left
the tent.
For a time the major could only murmur excla-
mations of thankfulness, but as he calmed down at
last, he asked," What are you doing in this mas-
querade, Nita?"
"The explanation is this, father. When the
place was attacked I dressed myself up in a suit
of Carter's clothes, because I was determined to
fight till the last and be killed rather than be
carried away a captive. I did fight, father, and was
at the last knocked down with the butt-end of a
rifle, and left for dead, but by the next morning I
recovered consciousness, and when they examined
the bodies they found that I was sensible; but
Carter was still insensible. We were carried off, in
different directions, the idea being, I suppose, either
to obtain ransom for us, or to pacify you if youshould bring an expedition into the mountains."
Then she gave a full account of their wanderings,
keeping herself entirely in the background and
giving all the credit to Carter.
DARLINGER AGAIN 109
" But if you and he were carried off by different
parties, how did you come together again?""I escaped eventually and made my way over
the hills to where I had learned that he was con-
fined, and then he got away and joined me. Wehave been a long time in the mountains together,
travelling all the time."
" But how did you get food ?"
"I stole a good part of it, father. I suppose I
ought to be ashamed of having done so, but it was
absolutely necessary. Before I escaped I collected
it gradually till I had a sack full; then I stole a
pony to carry it, and a skin for water. This supplylasted us over a fortnight. Carter went down
sometimes into a valley and killed a bullock, and
kept us well supplied with meat. As to the grain,
we occasionally rifled a village storehouse. So we
really were never short of food, though I must saythat I shall be very glad to have a piece of goodbread between my teeth again."
"I should not have known you in the least," the
major said;
"you are altered a good deal, but Carter
is much more so. Of course, he has had no oppor-
tunity of shaving since he has been away, and
so has grown quite a respectable beard. Now I
suppose the first thing that you would like to
do would be to get into your own clothes again.
But how you are to manage I do not know, for of
110 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
course everything was destroyed at the capture of
the fort.
" I should like some clothes indeed, father. Of
course I got quite accustomed to these when I was
a prisoner, and have had no time to think about
them since, indeed I did not even feel strange in them
when the attack upon the fort was going on. But I
should not like to be seen wearing a man's uniform
here. Still, I suppose a few traders have come upand have opened temporary stores, and if you would
go over and buy me some cloth, I can soon make
up something in which I shall not mind appearing.""No, I do not think any have arrived yet, but I
will go across to the quarter-master's tent and see
what he has got." And the major went out.
In ten minutes he returned, followed by a sepoy
carrying a roll of karkee serge."There, Nita," he said,
"you can make yourself
a skirt out of that, and with one of my jackets youwill be all right, although I do not suppose youwill be quite fashionably dressed. You will find
needles and thread in that haversack. Now, mydear, while you are arranging matters I will goacross to the mess-room. No doubt all the officers
are gathered there to hear Carter's story."
The major returned a couple of hours later.
Nita, except that her hair was still short, and her
face and hands sunburnt, was herself again.
DARLINGER AGAIN 111
"Do you know, father," she said as he entered,
"I feel horribly uncomfortable in these clothes.
Of course I shall get accustomed to them in time,
but at present they seem to cling about me in a
most disagreeable way."" You would have been pleased, my dear, if you
had heard the hearty cheering there was in the
mess-tent when I told them who Carter's companion
was, for he had kept a profound silence on the
subject, and had simply told them that it was a
fellow -captive. I never saw men more pleased,
and it shows how popular you are in the regiment.
But Carter has told us a very different tale from
what you told me. He went, of course, much more
into detail, and the details related largely to your
doings. First of all he gave us a description of the
siege, and of the desperate stand made when the
Afridis burst in, and how you fought until the last
of the little group was overpowered. Then he told
us how, when he recovered consciousness, he found
himself carried along, and how, after some days'
travel, he was imprisoned in the upper room of one
of their fortified houses. He said that he found the
captivity was exceedingly strict, and that no real
hope of escape entered his breast, until one morninghe found a note from you fastened to an arrow
lying on the ground."It told him that you would shoot in another
112 A SOLDIER'S DAUGHTER
arrow the next night with a string fastened to a
rope attached to it. Then he went on to tell how,
when he had got down, you took him to your camp,a mile and a half away, where you had a pony and
a large sack of provisions. He says that during
your travels you showed a marvellous amount of
pluck and endurance, and that in the first skirmish
that occurred you shot two out of the three of
your assailants, and that, in consequence, you both
became possessed of rifles, which you used to good
purpose when you were afterwards seriously at-
tacked. He said that when you both concluded
that large bodies of tribesmen would be at once
sent out in search of you, it was you advised
that you should take shelter among rocks but a
few yards away from the spot where you were
attacked, as it was not at all likely that yourenemies would begin their search so near to the
scene of action. Altogether he gave you the
highest credit."
"Then he was both foolish and wrong, father,"
Nita said angrily," and I am sure that he will admit
that I always followed his advice without question;
but indeed, except in the way of travel, and we did
go through an awfully rough country, and had con-
tinually to change our course to avoid impossible
difficulties, we really had no adventures to speak
of except these two skirmishes. Of course we were
DARLINGER AGAIN 113
greatly helped by the Afridi custom of staying in-
doors after nightfall."
The next day Nita held a sort of reception, and
was called upon by all the officers of the regiment.
Whereas during her journey she had felt no feeling
of shyness, she now felt timid and embarrassed, but,
as her father told her, this feeling would wear off
before long.
A few days later, the major sent Nita home to
England, where she at once went to a school close
to her aunt's, and it was two years before she re-
joined the regiment. She found that several changes
had taken place. Carter had obtained his company,
and had received very high credit for the sketches
and maps that he had furnished of the hitherto un-
known country through which they had passed. Of
course they could not be the same chums as before,
but it was not long before it was evident that they
had not forgotten their perilous journey together.
Within a month they became engaged, with her
father's complete approval, for Carter, in addition
to his captain's pay, possessed an income of 400
a year. Since then he has passed through the
Tirah campaign, where his maps proved of great
value, and gained for him a brevet majority.
And with his cherished companion, who has be-
come his wife, his life bids fair to be a perfectly
bright and happy one.
(B286) H
HOW COUNT
CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
TOOK GOLDSTEIN
A CHEERFUL home-coming, Johann," Conrad
-LJ- von Waldensturm said bitterly." Fool that I
was to believe that Goldstein would be bound by
any oath ! Tis well that I had heard the news, and
that I did not learn it for the first time lookingat the ruins of my home."
"The Elector of Treves should do you justice,
master."" The elector has his hands full with his quarrels
with his neighbours, and would not care to take uparms against a powerful vassal. It would need a
strong force indeed to take Goldstein, and there are
many who, although they love not the baron, would
not care to war against him in a quarrel which did
not greatly concern them. Had I been at home I115
116 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
do not think that the baron would have dared thus
to attack our castle without further pretext than
that our families had always been on bad terms;
but when the emperor called upon all honourable
gentlemen to aid him in his struggle with the Turks
I had no thought that harm might come in myabsence, or that death would take away my father,
the bravest and best knight in the province, and that
my sister Minna would be left unprotected. Had I
received the news earlier of my father's death I
might have been home in time, but if a messengerwas sent to tell me, which I doubt not was the
case, some harm befell him on the way, and it was
not until four months later that a knight from
Treves, joining the army, told me the news. Then,
as we fortunately defeated the Turks with heavy
loss, the emperor permitted me to return home, but
before I left the army this blow came: the castle
was destroyed, most of the retainers on the estate
killed, and Minna carried away."
The speaker, Count Conrad von Waldensturm,
was a young man some twenty-five years old. His
father's castle stood on a steep hill above the
Moselle. When he had left two years before it was
strong and shapely as fair a castle as any in the
valley now it was a ruin. The stonework was for
the most part but little injured, but the interior
had been gutted by fire, and the empty windows
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 117
looked mournfully out on the fair prospect. The
gate was gone, and in several places the battlements
had been demolished; the moat was empty, the
drawbridge had disappeared.
This was the work of Baron Wolff von Gold-
stein, whose castle lay some twelve miles lower
down the river. It was a much larger and stronger
place than the abode of Conrad's ancestors. For
nigh a century there had been little friendship
between the lords of Waldensturm and those of
Goldstein; they had taken different sides in the
troubles of that time, and the enmity thus created
had never died out. The Baron von Goldstein had
been on the winning side and had been rewarded
by the gift of fully half the lands of Waldensturm.
When the emperor had called upon the nobles
and barons of Germany to aid him against the Turks,
he had issued an order that all feuds should, during
their absence, be laid aside, and when allowing his
son to go to war the Count von Waldensturm had
called upon Wolff von Goldstein to take an oath that
there should be peace between the two families dur-
ing his absence, and this the baron had done without
hesitation. But a month after the count's death
Von Goldstein suddenly fell upon the castle, putall the retainers to the sword, ravaged the whole
of the estate, and carried off Minna, a girl of
fourteen, to his castle.
118 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
The other speaker was Johann Bernkof, a stout
man-at-arms and the leader of the little troop of
eighteen retainers, the sole survivors of fifty menwho had followed their young lord to the war.
These were sitting on their horses, some twenty
yards behind the speakers, looking in speechless
wrath at the ruined castle, the remains of the village
which formerly stood down by the river's edge,
the untilled fields, the wasted farms. What had
befallen their families none knew. Fathers,
brothers, and friends, who had been among the
retainers of the castle, had almost certainly
perished; where the women were sheltered, or
what had become of them, they knew not. As
the count was speaking to Bernkof they insensibly
moved their horses up closer. The young count
turned suddenly.
"Well, men," he said, "you have been fighting
well and manfully against the enemies of our countryand our religion; it seems to me that we have an
enemy at home more faithless and more cruel
than the Turks. Will you fight less manfully
against him?"
"We will fight to the death," the men shouted,
drawing their swords,"for home and vengeance."
" When the time comes I will call upon you," the
young count said, "though I fear that we can do
nothing at present. Were you ten times as strong
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 119
you could not hope to storm Goldstein. The first
thing is to take care that no news that we have
returned shall reach the baron, therefore scatter to
your homes quietly and singly. If, as I fear will
generally be the case, you find them destroyed,
take shelter among friends who remain; lay aside
your armour and appear as peaceful men; find out
as far as possible where all who have escaped Von
Goldstein's attack are sheltered. Some, no doubt,
will have gone elsewhere. Let these be sought out
and told, under promise of secrecy, that I have
returned. Bid all capable of bearing arms be in
readiness to gather on any day and hour I mayappoint. That is all at present. I shall take up
my abode in the ruins here, and any who have
aught to tell me will find me there every even-
ing. In three days let me have news where
each oft you has bestowed yourself. Arrange with
your friends that a few lads shall come here every
evening to act as messengers should I have need
of them."
The little troop broke up at once, and Conrad
rode with his sergeant up to the castle. Dis-
mounting, they entered the courtyard. The tears
came into the young count's eyes as he looked
round at the ruins. The thought of how his father
and the household had bidden him farewell, howhis young sister had placed a scarf of her own
120 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
embroidering over his shoulders, and had wept
freely as she did so, at the thought of the months
that would elapse before she would see him again,
for the moment unmanned him. However, with
an effort he roused himself, and said :
"They have
not done so much harm as I had feared, Johann;
the stonework has suffered but little, and it is
carpenters' work rather than masons' that will be
needed. Timber is cheap, and happily my purse is
well lined with the ransom that Turkish emir I
captured paid for his liberty. Still, that matters
nothing at present. So long as Goldstein stands,
Waldensturm will never be rebuilt. The first thing
to do is to look round and see where we had best
bestow ourselves and our horses."
There was no difficulty in this; the offices on the
ground floor were strongly arched, and although
most of these chambers had been crushed in by the
fall of the floors above, or by the battlements that
had been toppled down upon them, three or four
remained intact. The horses were led into one
of them, and the young knight and Johann set
to work to clear another of the debris and rubbish
for their own habitation.
"That is better than I had hoped," the former
said, when the work was done. "Now, Johann, we
must wait for our supper till the men I charged to
obtain food for ourselves and forage for the horses
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 121
return. We are accustomed to hard fare, and it
matters not, so that we can obtain bread and
enough of it. More than that we cannot expect,
for such of our vassals as have remained in the
neighbourhood must be beggared, as we have not
seen a head of cattle or sheep since we crossed the
border of the estate, and the fields all stood un-
cultivated."
Two of the men presently returned;one brought
some black bread, another two fowls and a flask of
wine."I got the wine at old Richburg's, my lord,"
he said; "he had a small store that escaped the
plunderers, and the fowls I got elsewhere. They had
been out in the fields when the raiders came down,
and Carl Schmidt, on his return, gathered a score or
two, and these have multiplied. He lets them run
wild, so that should the raiders come again they
may escape as before. He has built himself a
shelter of sods where his house stood. He will
bring you two fowls every day so long as he has
any left. He says that to-morrow he will gather a
dozen of them in, and maybe he will be able to
add a few eggs to the fowls he brings. He told me
that many of the people have returned. Some have
built shelters in the woods, others, like himself,
have established themselves in rough huts on the
spot where their old homes stood, and have sown
122 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
small patches of grain. All have been living in
hopes of your return, and there is not a man or
boy who will not take up arms as soon as you give
the word.""I am glad to hear it. Take my thanks to
Schmidt and Richburg, and tell them that I have
not come home penniless, and that whether we
succeed or not against this perjured baron they
shall have help to rebuild their houses, and to
enable them to live until they can raise crops."
A fire was soon laid, for the yard was strewn
with unburned beams which had fallen from the
roofs and sheds. Johann plucked and split openthe fowls, and grilled them over the fire.
" We have done worse than this many a time
when we were with the emperor," Conrad said as
they ate their meal. When he had finished he sat
for a long time in deep thought, then he remarked:
"We must think over our plans. So far we have
been able to form none. That the castle had fallen
I knew, but I was not aware how absolutely the
vassals were ruined. To-morrow morning we will
mount early and ride to a point where we can have
a view of Goldstein. I see now that we cannot
hope to gather a force that could attack the castle,
and that if we are to succeed it must be by some
well-devised trick. If I had my sister out of their
hands I could afford to wait, and could go round
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 123
among my father's friends, and endeavour to obtain
aid from them; though I own I have no great
hopes that many would adventure lives and fortunes
in a quarrel that is not their own.
"Von Goldstein is the most powerful baron in
these parts, and stands well with the Elector of
Treves, If I fail to right myself I shall go to Vienna
and again lay my case before the emperor. I saw him
before I left, and told him what had befallen me.
He was greatly angered when he heard that Von
Goldstein had broken his oath, and taken advan-
tage of my absence to destroy my castle. Active aid
he could not give me, but he gave me rescript
proclaiming the baron to be a false and perjured
knight, whose estates were forfeited by his
treachery. He called upon the elector to de-
prive him of his fief, and to bestow it upon me,
declaring that in case of his failure to do so, he
himself would intervene, and would, by force of
arms if need be, expel Von Goldstein and hand
over the fief to me, to be held, not under the
elector, but directly from himself.
"It would be useless at present for me to pro-
duce this document, for the elector knows well
enough that the emperor's hands are full with the
wars against the Turks, who are a trouble at the
best of times. His authority is but slight over
the western provinces, and the elector would write
124 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
making all sorts of excuses for not meddling with
Von Goldstein. It were better, before I appeal to the
elector, to raise a troop from my own resources; but
even if I laid out every penny of the emir's ransom
I could scarce gather a force that would suffice to
storm the castle. No, I. feel that if I am to recover
Minna it must be by stratagem. At present I
can see no way by which this can be done, but
maybe as I look at the castle my brain may work
to more good purpose. And now, Johann, it were
well to lead the horses out and hobble them.
There was a field we passed half-way down,
where the grass was growing long and thick.
When the boys come to-morrow night, I will
arrange with them to cut and bring in bundles
of it."
" Shall I stay out there with them, count? Should
any rough-riders catch sight of them standing un-
guarded they might well take a fancy to them, for
yours at least is an animal such as is not often seen."
" There is no need for that, Johann;
it is dark
already, and it is not likely that anyone will pass
here after nightfall. But it would be well to fetch
them in at daybreak."" That will I do, my lord
;our arms and horses
are our chief possessions now. Though we might
replace mine, such a steed as yours would cost a
aoble's ransom."
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 125
"Yes, and indeed, apart from his value, I would
not lose him, since it was a gift of the emperor him-
self."
The next morning they rode out early, entered
a wood on an eminence a mile from the baron's
castle, then, dismounting, walked to the edge of the
trees, and the count sat down on a fallen tree and
gazed at the castle for half an hour in silence.
It was indeed a strong place. The castle itself
was perched upon the edge of a precipitous cliff,
which on three sides of it fell away almost per-
pendicularly. On the other side, the approach,
though steep, was more gradual. In front of the
castle was a large courtyard. Inside and at the foot
of the side walls, which rose apparently sheer from
the edge of the precipices, were the quarters of
the garrison. The end wall was very strong and
massive, with a flanking tower at each corner and
another over the gateway. At its foot the rock
had been cut away perpendicularly, forming a drymoat some twenty feet deep and forty wide. Onthe other side of the moat was a similar enclosure
open towards the castle, but larger and with even
more massive walls, with strong flanking towers
at short distances apart. Here the vassals would
drive in their cattle and herds on the approach of
a hostile force. This exterior fortification was in
itself unusually strong, and would have to be
126 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
taken before the second wall could be attacked,
as it could only be approached on that face.
"It is a strong place, indeed," the count said at
last. "It would be necessary to scale the outer wall,
and, even could this be done by stealth, there would
be that deep cut and the next wall to cross, and the
castle itself, which is indeed a fortress, to enter; a
well-nigh impossible undertaking."
"I do not think it would be necessary to scale
the wall of the outer court, my lord, for there is
open ground on either side, as far as the point
where the cut is made. Beyond that, methinks,
there will be space enough to walk between the
edge of the rock and the wall. The castle itself is
most likely so built that the cliff goes sheer down
from its foot, but I do not think that is so with
the wall of the courtyard. There would be no
occasion for it; the bravest men would not venture
upon a narrow ledge where they could be over-
whelmed by stones or missiles from the wall
above.""I think that is so, Johann ;
but at any rate that
cut would have to be passed. No, the castle is
impregnable save by stratagem, or treachery within,
or against an army with battering-machines. 'Tis
stronger than I thought it; I never took so gooda look at it before, for it was but seldom that I
rode in this direction."
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 127
"It would need an army," Johann agreed, "and
might well cost the loss of a thousand men."
"I should be well content, Johann," the youngcount said gloomily, "if I could but carry mysister off, to ride back with her to Vienna, where
the emperor would place her under the protection
of some dame at his court, and where I might carve
out a new inheritance with my sword; but it seems
to me as difficult to get her away as it is to storm
the castle. We know not where she is placed, and
assuredly that knowledge is the first that we must
gain before any plan can be contrived. That could
only be done in one of two ways: either by bribing
one of the servitors at the castle or by introducing
some friend of our own."
"The latter would not be easy, count," Johann
said, shaking his head."If the baron were appre-
hensive of attack he might increase his strength,
and one presenting himself as a man-at-arms out
of employment might be enrolled in his band; but
at present he is scarcely likely to increase his force."
"I see that, Johann; I would go myself as
a minstrel, but among those in the castle there
might well be some who would recognize me. As
you know, I have some skill with the lute, and
could pass well enough if it were not for that; but
were I detected and captured, 'tis certain that I
should never leave the castle alive."
128 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
" That is not to be thought of, count. YourO *
person is so well known to the country round that
you would certainly be recognized, if not by the
baron himself, by some of those who were with him
at Treves when you were there with your father,
before you started for the war. Methinks the
other is the only plan. The baron's garrison
consists not so much of his own vassals as of
wandering men-at-arms, whom he has gathered
round him, and who serve him for pay and not
from duty or love. Among these there must be
many who would willingly accept a bribe. If your
lordship think well of the plan, I will myself godown to the village and endeavour to gather news.
I am not likely to be known. I was a simple man-
at-arms when you went out, and it was only when
Rudolph and Max were killed that you made me
officer over the rest. There has been little com-
munication for years between our people and those
of the baron. To make matters sure, I might puta patch over my eye. I should say that I was a
wandering soldier, who, being disabled in the war,
was now returning unfit to my friends at Luxem-
bourg. I shall pretend to be very hard of hearing,
in order that they may speak more freely before
me. I can even stay there for a day or two, alleging
that I am wearied and worn out. 'Tis certain that
the baron is not loved by his people. He is a
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 129
hard man and a rough one; he goes far beyond his
rights in the dues he demands. I do not know
that I may learn anything, but it is possible that
I may do so."
" Tis a good plan, Johann;
I would carry it out
myself, but I am full young and too healthy-looking
to pass as a discharged soldier."
"'Tis well that you should run no risks, my lord;
did aught happen to you there is not only yourown life that would be lost, but your vassals would
have no more to hope for. So far, from what the
others said last night, the baron does not concern
himself with them at present; but were they to
cultivate the land he would assuredly gather the
produce, and with none to protect them or speakfor them they would be driven to go elsewhere. At
any rate, my lord, I will gladly try. Naught maycome of it, but maybe I may hear some discon-
tented soldier growling over his cup, and may find
an opportunity of sounding him, taking care, you
may be sure, not to mention your name, but merely
saying that I know of a manner in which a handsome
sum may be earned by one willing to do a service.
If I find he rises at the bait, I will bid him meet
me again, and will, before I see him, discuss the
matter with you, so that you may be with me, and
judge for yourself how far it would be safe to gowith him."
(B286) I
130 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
"At any rate, Johann, no other plan presents
itself at present, and though I do not think it likely
that much may come of it, it is at least worth
the trying."
They rode back to Waldensturm, and an hour
later Johann set out on foot, leaving his breast- and
back-pieces behind him, and taking only his steel
cap, which was dinted by many a blow, and his
sword, for without a weapon of some kind no one
in those days would think of travelling.
It was afternoon when he entered a wine-shop in
the village half a mile from Goldstein. He chose
a quiet -looking house of the better class, which
would be more likely to be frequented by people
coming in from the country round, than by the men
from the castle. With a black patch over one eye,
and his well-worn garments, he looked his character
well. The landlady glanced with some disfavour at
him, for she did not care for the custom of way-farers.
" I can pay my way," he said," and am no beggar,
but a broken-down soldier, who has saved a little
money in the wars;" and he laid a crown piece on
the table." I have been fighting against the Turks,
and, as you see, lost an eye, and have almost lost myhearing; so I pray you to speak loudly. I have
journeyed far, and am wearied, and desire to rest
a day or two before I continue my journey to
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 131
Luxembourg, my native town. I can promise youthat I shall give you but little trouble."
"We will talk of that later on," the landlady
said."I do not know whether I can take you in,
but if I cannot I will tell you where you can obtain
a lodging in the village."
Johann made her repeat this twice, each time
in a louder voice; then he nodded. "Thank you,
mistress, I know that worn-out soldiers are not
welcome customers at a house like yours, but I
have ever been a quiet man, given neither to
quarrelling nor drinking beyond what is seemly.
I only desire a quiet house and such food as there
may be, and a flask of the best wine; for it is long
since I drank a flagon of good Moselle. And as mymoney will last me well until I get to Luxembourg,I can afford it. With it I will take, if it pleases
you, some cold meat, if you have it, or if not, some
cheese and fruit."
The landlady, seeing that the wayfarer was able
to pay, and was likely to give no trouble, presently
placed before him the food he asked for. When he
had finished it, he took his seat in the corner of the
room, taking the jug of wine, of which he had drunk
sparingly, with him. The landlady paid no further
attention to him till the day's work was over, and
some of the neighbours dropped in, together with
three or four persons from other villages on the
132 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
estate, who had been in Goldstein on business, either
to sell their vintage or crops or to arrange for their
carriage by boat to Eras. In an hour or two these
left, and only three or four of the traders of the
village, who were accustomed to use the house as a
sort of meeting-place, remained. They chatted for
some time on different matters, casting occasionally
somewhat suspicious glances at Johann, who was
leaning back in his chair as if asleep. The land-
lady, observing this, said to them :
" You need not
mind him;he is an old soldier on his way back to
Luxembourg. He is a very civil-spoken man, but he
is almost as deaf as a post. I had almost to scream
into his ear to make him understand me, and even
if he were awake he would not hear a single word
you say. I suppose that you have heard that
Bertha Grun and Lisa Hermann will be released
from the castle in a few days, and that Gretchen
Horwitz and another girl have got to take their
places. I hear that Bertha was told that she and
Lisa and the other two were to wait on Minna von
Waldersturm during alternate weeks.""Yes, I heard it," the other said.
"It passes all
bearing that damsels should be thus taken against
their will and that of their parents. Save for two
or three old crones there have been no women in
the castle since the baron's wife died, till Minna
von Waldensturm was taken there after the sack-
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 133
ing of their castle. They say that the baron is
determined that she shall marry his son. I suppose
he reckons upon young Waldeusturm being killed
in the wars, and then he can unite Waldensturm
with Goldstein without anyone making an objec-
tion."
"I am sorry for her, for the youth is a lout, and
they say as savage and as brutal as his father. Weall know that the baron's ill-treatment brought his
wife to her grave, and I should say that his son's
wife would not fare much better."
"I am sorry for Conrad von Waldensturm,"
another said; "all spoke well of him who knew
him. He was a gallant youth and kindly, and was
likely to prove as good a master as his father was.
It was a bad business, and I fear that there is little
chance of his ever being righted; the elector is a
great friend of the baron, whose castle, in case of
troubles, would act as a bulwark against any enemy
advancing up the river."
The conversation then turned to local matters:
the amount of the vintage and the probability that
it would turn out unusually good in quality. Aquarter of an hour later Johann went up to the
room that the landlady had told him he could
occupy. The next morning, after a hearty break-
fast, he told her that he felt so much better after
a good night's rest that he would continue his
134 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
journey, and after paying his reckoning he left the
inn and returned to Waldensturm.
"You must have news for me, Johann," the
count said as he came in; "I had not expected
you for two or three days."
"I have news, and I think of importance;" and
he related the conversation that he had overheard."It struck me at once that this was the very thing
that we wanted. One of the young women, who
have been carried off against their will, to act as
chamber-maidens to the Countess Minna, might be
induced to befriend her, who is even more hardly
dealt with than they are, and who is beloved by all
who know her. Her escape, too, would release them
from further attendance at the castle."
"You are right, Johann; 'tis a stroke of goodfortune indeed that you have learned this, and it
is of the more importance since it is evident that
no time must be lost. For if the baron has once set
his mind upon marrying Minna to his son, he mayat any moment force her to do so. However great
her repugnance to the match, it would weigh as
nothing against his determination. I will myself
take this matter in hand, and although I might be
known were I to appear in my own dress, it is not
likely anyone would recognize a well-to-do young
farmer, or, what might be still better, a trader
travelling with his wares, as Conrad von Walden-
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 135
sturm, whom all suppose to be far away, fighting
against the Turks. The fathers of the girls are
evidently substantial men, since their names were
familiar to all those you heard talking. There
would be no difficulty in finding them, and their
places are probably not very far from Goldstein,
as the baron would hardly send to distant farms
or villages for the young women he required. I
wish that I knew something of the men's disposition,
for there are some who would put up with the
outrage of their daughters being carried away
against their will, meekly and quietly, while others
would be stirred to the greatest anger."" That is so, my lord, but as I believe that the
baron is generally hated by his vassals, I think
that there are few who would not be glad to do
him an ill turn. Then you are thinking of speak-
ing to them, and not to the girls themselves?"
"It would depend upon the fathers. A timid
man, however much he might hate the count, would
shrink from allowing his daughter to run the
slightest risk, while a bold man would heartily
enter into the scheme. It is easier to speak to a
man than to get speech with a maiden. If, when
I see them, it appears to me that they would not
be likely to consent to their daughters taking any
part in a plot, I would then wait, however long, for
an opportunity of addressing one of the girls. You
136 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
cannot go again, Johann, but we might send Henrick,
who is a sharp fellow, to Goldstein. He might be
dressed as a hind, giving out that he was seeking
employment on a farm. He might say that he had
been told that either of these two men was likely
to give him employment, and might reasonably ask
questions as to their characters before going to
either."
" That would be a good plan, count. Henrick is
lodging in a cottage down by the river, which
escaped the notice of the baron's men. I can fetch
him up in a quarter of an hour, and if he started at
once he would be there this afternoon."" Fetch him, by all means, Johann."
The sergeant had already told the soldier the
nature of the work that he was required to under-
take, and on his arrival he at once expressed to
Conrad his willingness to carry it out.
"In the first place, you will go to Goldstein and
find out where the men live, then you will go to the
hamlet nearest to them, and you will have no
difficulty whatever in learning the reputation in
which they stand with their neighbours, and the
characters they bear. They may live some distance
apart, but it is important that you should find out
about both. It is probable that they are well-to-
do men, for the baron would not have taken the
daughters of mere boors as attendants on his cap-
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 137
live, but would have chosen maidens of good repute
and manners."
It was not until late the next afternoon that
Henrick returned.
"The men lived in different directions, count,"
he said, "and were each four miles from Goldstein,
so that I could only hear about one yesterday
evening, and had to walk to the village near where
the other lived, which was six miles away, the next
morning. Both are men with considerable holdings,
and the fact that the baron has carried off their
daughters has excited great indignation among their
neighbours, though, of course, no one dares express
his sentiments openly, least of all the two men
themselves. Horwitz is said to be a man of sullen
disposition, a hard man to those who work under
him, very close and parsimonious in his dealings.
Grun is much more popular among his neighbours;
he is a kindly man and not easily stirred to anger.
He is passionately attached to his daughter, who
is his only child, and since she has had to go to
the castle has not, it is said, left his house even to
attend to the vintage."
"Then I will try Grun first," the count said. "Aman of the nature you describe will not be likely
to betray me even should he refuse to allow his
daughter to assist me in any way. You have done
very well, Henrick. To-morrow morning you will
138 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
ride to Weisenheim and buy for me a suit of clothes
such as the small traders who journey through the
country selling goods would wear. Then go to
various shops and buy such articles as they might
carry materials for dresses, ribbons, kerchiefs, and
cheap silver ornaments, make them up into a pack,
and bring them hither. Do not buy all at one shop,
even if they should have in store all that you
require ; your doing so would excite curiosity. Get
materals for at least a dozen dresses not common
goods, but such as are worn on fete days. Here is
money which will be amply sufficient for your
purchases. You, Johann, will go to-morrow mor-
ning to a village beyond the estate and buy a
small horse, with a saddle such as would be used
for packing goods on; then I shall be ready for
a start the next morning."
Both commissions were executed, and the youngcount started, leading the pony, whose burden was
by no means a heavy one. He had learned the
prices that Henrick had paid for each article, and
fastened a ticket to each, as it was possible that he
might be invited in by some of the country-people,
and might ask either too much or too little for his
wares, and so create suspicion that he was not what
he seemed. He was indeed asked to show his goods
several times, and as he charged rather under the
price that he had given for them in the town, he
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 139
effected several sales. About noon he arrived at
the house of the farmer Grun. One of the maids,
who saw him coming up, ran out.
"'Tis no use your stopping here," she said.
" In
bygone times it would have been different, but the
master and mistress are both in deep grief."" So I have heard," Conrad said,
" and yet I would
fain be allowed entrance, having need of speech
with your master on a matter of importance. I
pray you to tell him so."
She returned in a minute. "The master says
that your visit is untimely, but that if the matter
is of importance he will see you."
Tying up his pony to a hook in the wall, Conrad
followed the maid into the house. A big powerful-
looking man was sitting on a chair before the empty
grate; he looked up listlessly at Conrad's entrance.
"I hope," he said,"young man, that you have not
disturbed me in my trouble needlessly, or entered
here under a false pretext?"
"Assuredly I do not enter needlessly, though I
own that it is under a false pretext. And yet it is
not so though; the matter I would speak of to youis of importance. I have heard, Herr Grun, that
you are a kindly man, just in your dealings, and
one to be trusted. I am going to trust you."
The farmer listened with increasing surprise as
he spoke; his manner ofj speech was not one that a
140 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
travelling pedlar of goods would have adopted, but
was rather that of a man of rank.
"I am Conrad von Waldensturm," the youngcount went on. The farmer gave an exclamation of
surprise, and rose to his feet."I have just hurried
back from the war, at the news that my castle had
been destroyed, my estate ravaged, and my sister
carried off. I have come home to rescue her. I
heard of the outrage of which you and your
daughter have been the victims, and, having made
enquiries, I judge that you would not be one to sit
down tamely under it."
"Tamely, no," the man said passionately, "and
there is the pain of it ! What can I, a tiller of the
soil, do against my feudal lord ? Show me the wayto avenge myself, Count von Waldensturm, and be
assured that you will not find me backward. There
is not a man in the barony who would not see the
castle razed to the ground with joy. What can we
do? He has two hundred armed men within its
walls, and could crush us as a hammer would crush
an egg. We have suffered unnumbered wrongs at
his hands and at those of his son, who is even worse
than himself; but how with clubs and staves could
we attack a castle that is the strongest in the
electorate, and has never yet been taken. However,
count, you have doubtless some plan in your mind
that you have thus come to me. All knew and
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 141
honoured your father, and envied those who held
land under him, and it was reported that you, his
son, would tread in his footsteps, and were already
beloved by all his vassals."
"My first object," Conrad said, "is, as you maysuppose, to rescue my sister from his hands. With
that intention I returned home, and you may well
believe that the news that the baron intends to
wed her to his son has added to that desire, and
has shown me the need for haste in carrying it out.
The first thing is to ascertain exactly in what part
of the castle she is confined, how she is guarded,
and the manner in which her chamber could be
approached. Having ascertained this, I must, of
course, open communications with her so that she
may be cognizant of my plans, and be ready to
assist in their being carried out. But this is not
all; the baron, and no doubt his son, with a party
of men-at-arms, will set off in pursuit, and I shall
have an ambush prepared. I have but some
twenty men with me, all good soldiers, who have
fought in the wars, and I hope to gather fifty more
from our former vassals; this should be enough to
ensure that none of the party who sally out shall
return alive to the castle. Had I as many more
determined men I might carry the castle by
surprise, for I could, with my own troop, ride
forward, and being taken for the baron, would find
142 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTTIRM
the gate open and the drawbridge down. Entering,
I could hold the gate with my men until the rest,
who would have followed close behind, rushed in,
when we might well overcome the garrison, taken
by surprise as they would be."
"'Tis a good plan!" the farmer said, striding upand down the room,
" and methinks that not only
can I promise you the aid of my daughter, but can
bring some score of stout fellows to aid you. The
hired ruffians of the baron are hated as much as
he is; they enter every house they choose and
demand victuals and wine, insult the women with
their foul oaths and coarse manners, lay hands on
anything they fancy, and treat us as if we were a
conquered people and they were our masters. 'Tis
worse than useless to complain of them to the
baron. A neighbour of mine did so, and he was
hung over the gate as a lesson to the rest of us.
Some of us have talked the matter over again and
again, as to whether it would not be possible to
attack the baron when he rode out with a party
of his men; but if we did so, and were successful,
the neighbouring lords would all unite against us
as rebels against our master, and the whole country
would be harried, and those who were caught hunglike dogs. But under your leading it would be
a different matter; it would be a feud between two
nobles. What would you do with the castle, sir?"
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 143
"I should hold it as my own," Conrad said.
" Goldstein has destroyed Waldensturm. Walden-
sturm in turn captures Goldstein. I should appeal to
the emperor, if the elector takes part against me,
and shall offer to hold the fiefs of Goldstein and
Waldensturm as the emperor's vassal. I know
that he would grant it to me, and that, were the
elector to besiege the castle he would lay his
orders on some of the neighbouring princes, either
Hesse or Luxembourg, to give me aid."
" Then in that case, count, you may reckon uponthe aid of fully a hundred men. There is not only
the hate against the baron and his followers, but the
prospect of becoming your vassals instead of those
of the baron; which would mean prosperity and
happiness instead of being ground down by his
unjust demands, and exposed to constant insults
and injury from him and his. And now, my lord,
I will call my daughter in, tell her your designs,
and bid her not only to answer your questions,
but to aid you by every means in her power."
Bertha was sent for; she was a pretty, modest-
looking girl, but her face told of recent suffering."Bertha," her father said,
"this is the Count von
Waldensturm. He has returned home from the
wars to rescue his sister, and I charge you to
answer all his questions, and to aid him in every
way to the best of your powers."
144 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
" That will I readily, for the young countess has
been very kind to me, and we pity her deeply.
She saved us from insult on the part of the baron's
son, and she appealed to the baron himself to allow
us to remain always with her, and not even to
descend to the kitchens to fetch her food; and
the baron, who evidently wishes to humour her
in small matters, gave the order."
"That is just what I should have thought of
Minna," Conrad said in a tone of deep pleasure."Now, fraulein, in what part of the castle is my
sister confined?"" In a room in the north angle. It is some
fifty feet from the courtyard into which it looks."
"Is the window barred?"
"No," the girl said; "the lower windows are
strongly guarded, but on this floor they are not
so."
" Then I take it, that, if she had a rope, you and
the other maiden could easily lower her to the
ground?"" We could do that easily enough, count; but
were she there she would be no nearer escaping.
There is always a guard at the gate, and the draw-
bridge is up at night; and even when across that
there is the outer court to be passed."
"Are there stairs to the wall near where she
would alight?"
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 145
"Yes, sir, there is a flight of stairs in the angle
just below our window."
"The next thing I have to think about is
your safety. As you sleep in her room it would
be clear that she could not have escaped without
your knowledge and assistance, and the baron, in
his fury, would be capable of slaying you both."
" And he would certainly do so," the farmer said
shortly.
"Then it is clear that either they must escape
with my sister or must hide somewhere."" But we must be found sooner or later," the girl
said.
" Not if my plan succeeds, Bertha. I intend that
the escape shall be known as soon as it is com-
pleted, that the baron shall set out in pursuit,
that we shall have an ambush prepared for him,
and that he shall not return to the castle, which
I, with my retainers and vassals, and your father's
assistance, will then capture." In that case it would be easy enough for us to
hide," the girl said. "There are chambers in the
castle that none ever enter, and we could without
difficulty conceal ourselves there. We could either
do that or escape with the young countess."
"I will think it over," Conrad said. "Are
there sentries on the walls?"" There are two on the tower over the gate, but
(B286) K
146 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
none along the wall itself. At least, the two are
there in the daytime, but I have never looked out
at night.""It was only yesterday morning that you were
released, so we have five days to think over our
plans. By the way, would it be possible for
you to descend from your room to the courtyard
at night without passing through occupied rooms
or otherwise attracting attention? because, if so,
there would be no necessity for lowering my sister
from the window."" I think so, sir. There is a staircase by which
there is communication both with the floor above
and that below. It is a small stone winding stair in
the thickness of the wall. I have never been up or
down it; it connects with our room by a short
passage in which there is a door, but this is always
kept closed, and at night we lock it. The youngcountess obtained the key from the baron, saying
that, did she not have it, anyone ascending or
descending could come into her room without let
or hindrance."
"There can be little doubt that the stairs descend
to the courtyard, and that they are used by men
going up and down to sentry duty on the upper
platform; the only question is whether the door
at the foot, opening into the courtyard, is keptlocked."
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 147
" That I cannot say, sir; we never went down to
the courtyard when we were at the castle."
"Is there a sentry posted on the top of the
tower?"
"Yes, sir, I believe so; at any rate, we often hear
the tread of men going up and down, and that by
night as well as by day."" In that case it is possible that the door is not
kept locked; as it is so often used it would give
unnecessary trouble if the key had to be fetched
each time the sentry was changed. It is very im-
portant that we should know for certain, because it
would save much risk and trouble if you could leave
the keep without descending from the window. But
I do not see how you could let us know, and I do not
like putting the adventure off until you are again
on duty, for there is no saying when the baron
may carry out his intention of forcing my sister to
become his son's wife."
"I could manage that, count," the farmer said.
"I
might well enough go to the castle with a present
of fruit, or with some woman's gear that Bertha
might have left behind her. I might not be able
to see the girl, but she might send down a message.
If the door is locked, she need send only her thanks;
if it is open, she could say that I need not trouble
to send her fruit, as they had an abundance of
everything they wanted."
148 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
"That would be a very good plan," the youngcount said.
"I will return here in three days, by
which time I hope to have all my plans laid out."
On his return to Waldenstunn, Conrad ordered
two or three of his men to make a light ladder some
twenty-five feet long, and sent Henrick over to
Weisenheim to buy a hundred yards of light but
very strong cord. The next night he rode with
Johann to within a short distance of Goldstein,
the latter carrying the ladder. It was a dark night,
and, leaving their horses half a mile from the castle,
they made their way towards it, reached the foot
of the outer wall, taking great care to avoid makinga noise, proceeded along the edge of the wall of the
outer court until they came to the cut in the rock.
Then the ladder was lowered down, they both
descended, and, shifting the ladder to the other side,
were soon at the foot of the wall of the inner
court. They found, to their satisfaction, that there
were some two feet of level ground between this
and the edge of the precipice. As they went on,
this sometimes widened to twenty feet or more,
sometimes narrowed to three feet, as the wall
kept straight along without following the irregu-
larities of the rock. At length the masonry rose
up in front of them extending to the very edge of
the crag, and they knew that they had reached
the castle itself, and that some sixty feet above
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 149
them was the chamber in which Minna was con-
fined.
" So far everything is well, Johann, and if only
the door at the bottom of that flight of steps is
unbolted it seems to me that we shall have no
difficulty. Everything has succeeded beyond our
expectation. But three days ago the rescue of mysister seemed almost impossible, but now, thanks
to Bertha Grun and her father, everything is in
train."
Returning as they came, they carried the ladder
to the wood where they had left their horses, and
hiding it there rode home.
The boys had not been idle; every day they had
gone out, sometimes to places many miles away,
to warn the vassals that their young lord had
returned, and that they must hold themselves in
readiness to assemble at Waldensturm, with the
best arms they could obtain, immediately upon
receiving a summons. The tenants were all de-
lighted when they heard the message. The boys
had carried with them money, to give to those who
were in want, to purchase long pikes and swords
in readiness for whatever service their lord might
require of them.
The day after his expedition to Goldstein, Conrad
resumed his trader's dress, and, taking his pack
pony as before, went to Grun's.
150 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
" The matter will be easier than I expected," he
said to the farmer, who gave him a hearty greeting.
"I have found that once at the foot of the castle
there is no difficulty in making one's way along.
If your daughter finds that the door at the bottom
of the staircase is unlocked, there are no difficulties
whatever;" and he then described how they made
their way along to the foot of the walls of the
castle itself.
" As it can be but a few paces from the bottom of
that staircase to the one in the angle, they could, if
in dark clothes, mount the wall unperceived, even
were there guards in the courtyard itself, which is
most unlikely, as the baron has no fear whatever of
attack, and it is only upon the outer wall that anyshrewd watch would be kept. I think that, to avoid
all danger, it would be better that your daughterand her companion should also fly. When once
beyond the walls I would have a guide in readiness
to take them to one of the cottages still standing on
my estate. In my pack is a long rope, well knotted;
it is not bulky, and your daughter could wind it
round her under her garments. When they get on
to the wall they will fasten one end securely, and
drop the other down. I shall be there, and shall
at once climb to the top and lower my sister
and the girls down, one by one. My sergeant will
be there to receive them. Then I shall descend by
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 151
the rope, and we will make off. I have received
promises from forty men to join me, and have
fixed on a spot where they shall be placed in
ambush a mile from the castle. Have you done
anything?"
"Yes, I have sounded many of my neighbours,
and one and all will gladly join in any attempt to
overthrow the baron and his son. Each of them
will communicate with others. I have not men-
tioned your name, or given them any particulars,
but have simply said that there is a plot on foot
which is in my opinion certain to be successful,
and that in a manner that will prevent any of the
neighbouring lords taking up the baron's cause.
And that I have reason to believe that a new lord,
who will be a just and good master, will be forth-
coming. I think I can promise that by the middle
of next week there will be a hundred and fifty men
ready for the work."
"That should be ample, Grun; and if we are
successful I promise that your farm shall be for
ever exempt from all feudal obligations, rents, and
quittances. I shall not come over again until your
daughter has returned to the castle, and you have
learned from her whether that door is open. If
it is not so, she must examine the bolt carefully.
It is probable that it could be shot from the inside
if she had a suitable tool, in which case we must
152 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
defer it until she again returns to the castle, unless
she and her companion find that they can get the
bolt back without difficulty. Ask her to ascertain
this the first day she returns. I have thoughtthat possibly you might not be able to see her, and
that the message that she sends down to you mightnot be rightly reported. Therefore, instead of your
paying her a visit, tell her that, on the morningafter she returns to the castle, she is to go to the
window between eight and nine o'clock, and to
shake a cloth or a garment out of it if the door
is unlocked, or she finds that she can open it. Weshall be watching for the signal. If it is not made,
the attempt shall be deferred; if it is made, it will
be at midnight on the third night after she returns.
At that hour they are to descend the stairs to the
courtyard, mount the steps to the wall, and dropthe rope over, having previously firmly fastened
the end. I had better see her myself, and give her
the instructions, so that there may be no possibility
of a mistake. If the signal is made, a boy will
bring a message to you that the affair will come off
on the night I have arranged, and you with yourfriends will then be by ten o'clock at the point
where the road runs through a wood about a mile
away from the castle. Two or three of you bring
axes, so that we can fell some trees across the road
behind them and so enclose them. It is of the
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 153
utmost importance that not one shall escape to carry
the news to the castle."
Bertha was called in, and the instructions were
repeated to her until Conrad was perfectly satisfied
that she knew what she had to do. She was at
once to inform Minna that her brother had returned,
and was prepared to rescue her. "Tell her this
directly you get back, Bertha, and then, if the
baron should determine to hurry on her marriage,
she can beg for a week's further grace before it
takes place."
Everything being now arranged, Conrad returned
home, and waited impatiently for the hour when
the signal would be made. On that morning he
and three of the men, all dressed as peasants, took
up their positions at various points a quarter of a
mile or so from the castle, hiding behind the bushes
so that they should not be perceived from the castle.
Soon after eight o'clock the watchers saw a figure
come to the window, and shake a garment as if
to free it from dust. Then one by one they got upand strolled carelessly away, mounted their horses
in the wood, and rode back to Waldensturm. The
men and a number of boys were assembled at the
ruins, and all were at once sent off to order the
vassals to assemble there by eight o'clock on the
evening of the next day. At the appointed time
all were there, full of delight to see their young
154 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
lord again, and protesting their readiness to die in
his service.
They now learned for the first time the nature of
the enterprise in which they were about to take
part, and their delight at the prospect of slaying
the author of their misfortunes, and of capturing
his castle, was unbounded. Many of them had
provided themselves with bows or cross-bows, the
boys having carried messages to that effect a few
days before. One or two of the men still on the
estate carried axes and coils of rope. Conrad and
his men-at-arms were mounted at eight o'clock, bywhich hour the last of those summoned had come
in. These followed on foot, and by half-past nine
reached the wood selected for the ambush. The
men with axes at once set to work to fell three or
four trees across the road where it entered the wood
on the side farthest away from Goldstein, the rest
were distributed along it among the trees on both
sides. Half an hour after their arrival, Grun, at the
head of a hundred and fifty men, came up. Most of
these had pikes, others were armed with scythes,
while a few of the poorer class carried only flails;
but all had long knives.
After saying a few words of thanks to them,
Conrad distributed them also by the sides of the
road. Ropes were then fastened from tree to tree
across it, at a height of two feet from the ground,
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 155
others being laid across the road where the baron
with his retainers would enter. These were to be
tightened as soon as he had passed, so as to trip
over any of the rearmost horsemen who tried to
escape. Some trees were cut almost through at this
point, and men with axes stationed there so as to
bring them down as soon as the horsemen had
passed. Having seen that everything was in readi-
ness, Conrad left- Johann in command, and with
three of his followers rode on to the edge of the
wood nearest the castle. Here two of the men re-
mained with the horses, which, when they heard
Conrad's horn sound, they were to bring up towards
the castle, and to stop just beyond bowshot.
Henrick, carrying the ladder, accompanied him.
As before, they had no difficulty in gaining the foot
of the castle wall. After waiting a quarter of an
hour there was a slight sound and the end of the
rope fell near them. Conrad gave a slight pull to
show that he was there, waited till he was sure that
the other end was securely fastened, and then beganto climb it. He had left his riding-boots in the
cut, so that he might climb without any noise being
made by their scraping against the wall. Being
strong and active he had no difficulty in reaching
the top, and as soon as he gained his footing there
a figure threw herself into his arms.
"Thank God I have you, little sister! let me put
156 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
this round your waist."" This" was a broad band
made of a saddle-girth, which was fastened to the
end of the rope which he had brought up with
him." You will be quite safe," he said.
" Hold the rope
with both hands; it has plenty of strength and
would hold twenty of you."
A moment later she was over the wall, and he
lowered her steadily down until he felt the rope
slacken. Then he drew it up again and lowered
Bertha and her companion, and then joined them
on the ledge."Now," he said,
"you must go on together with
Henrick. Walk one behind the other and keeptouch of the wall. As you go, you will have to
descend a ladder on one side of a deep cut, and
climb it on the other. When you get to the top
you are to stop till I join you, as Henrick will
have to move the ladder for me to follow you. Go
on at once; you will know afterwards why I have
stayed behind."
He waited till Henrick rejoined him with the
news that the others had passed the cut, then he
shouted: "Hullo there, watch!"" Who is that?" a voice called down from the top
of the tower.
"Tell the baron that I, Conrad von Walden-
sturm, have carried off my sister, and give him my
TOOK GOLDSTEIN . 157
defiance;" and then with Henrick he hurried along
and soon rejoined the women. Already there was
a tumult in the castle; the sentry had blown his
horn, and then run down from the wall and entered
the castle to arouse the baron. Conrad sounded the
note that his followers knew, and they then hurried
along until they arrived at the spot where the men
were standing with the horses.
"Now," he said to Minna,
"you must mount
behind me, two of my men will take your maids."
The din in the castle was now prodigious; a horn
continued sounding and the alarm-bell of the castle
ringing1
,orders were being shouted, and it was
evident that the garrison were fully roused, and
that in a few minutes the pursuit would begin.
Conrad and two of the men sprang into their
saddles. Henrick lifted Minna to her place behind
Conrad, and the two girls behind the men." Hold tight, girls, we have not far to go," Conrad
said. Henrick mounted, and all started at a gallop.
Conrad was glad to hear the watchman on the
tower over the gate shout at the top of his voice :
"I hear the tramp of horses
; they have just
started."
There was no need for haste;
it would be another
five minutes at least before the baron could start.
Still, as Conrad wished to see that everything was
ready, he maintained his pace until he reached the
158 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
wood where his party were assembled. Then they
dismounted. The men led the horses to the spot
where the others were tied up, near the farther
edge of the wood. Conrad led his sister and the
maids to a distance from the road; he had already
told her what was going to take place.
"Wait here till I come to fetch you," he said;
"I must see that all is in readiness." He joined
the men, who were gathered thickly by the road,
and took his place by the ropes which would
bring the head of the column to a halt. Here his
own vassals were chiefly gathered, while his men-
at-arms were stationed, under Johann, at the point
where their pursuers would enter the wood. This
he considered to be the most important post, as
many of the troopers would certainly try to escape
when they found that they were caught in an
ambush. Two minutes after his arrival he heard
the sound of a party of galloping horsemen.
"I think", he said to Grun, who was standing
next to him, "there are from thirty to forty of
them. The baron would probably ride off as soon
as a score or two of his men had mounted." In a
minute the troop came along at a furious gallop,
led by Von Goldstein and his son. Suddenly the
head of the column seemed to collapse; men and
horses rolled over; those behind, unable to check
their horses, crashed into a confused heap on the
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 159
ground, and before they could check themselves
well-nigh half the party were heaped upon each
other. As the baron and his son fell, Conrad's
bugle rang out, and a flight of arrows and of cross-
bow bolts poured into the rearmost files of the troop,
and at the same moment a crowd of men sprang out
from the trees and assailed them with pike and
sword, scythe and flail. Taken utterly by surprise,
appalled by the suddenness of the attack, and bythe catastrophe in which their leaders and half
their comrades were involved, the remainder of the
troop offered but a feeble resistance. Johann, with
his men, came rushing up from the rear, for not one
of the troopers had time to turn his horse before
being surrounded by his foes. Conrad took no
part in the fight, but, on seeing how complete was
the success of the ambush, sheathed his sword,
and returned to the spot where he had left Minna,
leaving it to the infuriated peasants and troopers
to complete the work.
"The first blow has been struck, Minna. VonGoldstein and his son have paid with their lives
for their crimes and for the ruin that they have
brought upon us. I shall send you off to the
castle under the guard of four of the vassals, and
you will remain there until you hear from me."
"But why should you not come yourself?"
"Because I have only begun my work. I hope
160 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
before morning to finish it. I am going to take
Goldstein by surprise, and I have little doubt that
I shall succeed. I have nearly two hundred men,
and as some thirty of the garrison have fallen, we
shall outnumber them considerably."
The four men had already been told off to escort
the young countess and her maids, and horses
having been brought up, the party at once started,
and Conrad returned to the scene of conflict, where
all was now quiet. Not a man of the baron's party
had escaped; he himself and his son had been found
dead when the horses had either recovered their
feet or been dragged off. Whether they had broken
their necks or been smothered by the mass piled
over them none cared to enquire, but many a
vengeful stab showed that the peasants were
determined to make sure of their deaths. Some
torches had been brought for the purpose, and these
having been lit, the peasants had carefully examined
the fallen troopers to make sure that the work of
vengeance was complete.
Conrad, on his arrival, called them all together.
"So far the work has been well begun," he said;
"your tyrant is dead. Now for the next blow.
Herr Grun tells me that he has, as I requested him,
chosen fifty of the most active for special work. Let
these form in a body." When the young men had
obeyed his order he continued:"Now, Johann, you
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 161
and Henrick and the four men I have already told
off will go with this party, Johann in command,
and do the work with which I charged you. You
will proceed along the foot of the castle wall till
you get to the spot where I descended. There youwill remain quiet until you hear the attack at the
gate; then you will climb the rope, and, as soon
as you are all assembled on the wall, will rush
down and seize the inner gate, cut down all who
are guarding it, and then, leaving Henrick and
ten of the men there, will run into the outer
court and take the baron's men in rear. Henrick,
as soon as the others have gone, will close the
gate behind them. There is little fear that youwill be disturbed, for all the defenders of the castle
will rush down when they hear the fighting in the
outer court."
"I understand, my lord," Johann said; "never
fear but that we will do our part in the business."
"Remember," Conrad went on,
"everything de-
pends on your carrying this out silently. Do not
go in a solid body; steal along as quietly as possible.
There is little fear of their seeing you, but beware
of striking a foot or weapon against a stone."
As soon as Johann and his party had moved off,
he continued: "Now, strip the armour and steel
caps from the dead troopers. How many are there
of them?"(B286) L
162 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
"Thirty-four, count," Grun said,
" and there are
twenty-five of their horses uninjured, and the five
of Johann and his party."
"Then choose thirty-nine men," Conrad said," and
let them divide the armour among them, and let
each take a horse and mount at once. We shall,
with my fifteen, be a stronger party than rode
out, but in the darkness they will not notice
that. All the rest will follow us on foot, keepinga hundred yards in rear. When we enter the
courtyard, ride, in the first place, and cut down
any of the troopers who may be there; it is
probable that the greater part of them will be
gathered on the wall to await the baron's return.
When you have cleared the courtyard you will, at
the sound of my bugle, dismount. By that time we
shall be joined by those on foot, and we shall then
see what steps we had best take against the men on
the walls."
In a quarter of an hour all was ready, and at the
head of over fifty mounted men Conrad rode off at
a foot-pace, the unmounted men following close
behind. When within a quarter of a mile of the
castle, Conrad gave the order, and at a canter they
rode towards the gate. As they approached, the
men broke into a cheer, and the garrison, taking
this as a proof that success had attended them, and
that the fugitives had been captured, answered with
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 163
shouts of welcome. As Conrad had expected, the
drawbridge was down and the gate open. As he
rode in with his men Conrad raised a shout: "AWaldensturm! a Waldensturm! kill! kill!" and in-
stantly attacked the men who were gathered inside
the gate to welcome the baron's return. Taken
wholly by surprise, their resistance was feeble, and
the thirty or forty men in the courtyard were
speedily despatched; but by this time those on the
walls were pouring down to the assistance of their
comrades. Conrad blew his horn; his followers
dismounted and rushed for the new-comers, and
just as they did so the unmounted men ran in
through the gate with loud shouts. A panic
seized the baron's retainers, and these again ran
up the steps to the top of the wall. Many of
the assailants would have followed them, but
Conrad called them off. He knew that the stairs
could not be carried without great loss, as a dozen
men at the top of each of the flights of steps could
hold them against hundreds. The fight had not
been conducted in darkness, for there were manytorches burning in the courtyard.
" We will wait
till morning," he said; "they are like rats in a
trap." At this moment a sudden uproar was heard
in the inner courtyard, and shouts of "Walden-
sturm! Waldensturm!" and a couple of minutes
later Johann and his party rushed in through the
164 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
upper gate, where they stopped, astonished at the
quietness that prevailed.
"They are all on the wall, Johann; there is no-
thing more to do at present," Conrad said."I will
go back with you, and we will take possession of
the castle itself. There is not likely to be any
resistance;few men will have remained there, and
these, when they see that both courtyards are in
our hands, will hardly resist. If they surrender,
we will kill no one, and no damage must be done
to anything; the castle is mine now. Herr Grun,
will you remain in command here; I do not think
the men on the wall will make an attack, but keepa close watch on them."
The castle gate was closed when they reached
it, and five or six men with cross-bows were at the
windows commanding it.
"What ho there!" Conrad said. "It is useless for
you to resist. I, Conrad von Waldensturm, call
upon you to surrender. The baron and his son are
killed, and half the garrison; the rest are in our
power. If you surrender peacefully your lives
shall be spared; if not, every man will be put to the
sword."
There was a short pause, and then a voice said:
" We surrender, relying upon your knightly word."
A minute later the sound of bars being withdrawn
was heard, and the door opened. Conrad, with his
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 165
own followers, entered, letting the others remain
without. The men were first disarmed and placed
in the guard chamber at the gate, and a sentry
posted outside. Then, taking torches from the
walls, Conrad made a hasty survey of the interior,
telling the frightened scullions and other servants
that no harm would come to them."'Tis indeed a stately castle," he said to Johann,
"and I have made a good exchange. Now, do youremain here in charge; I will go down and see how
matters are proceeding. Day is breaking already."
Then with those who had remained outside the
castle gate he joined the main body in the outer
courtyard."Now, Grun," he said to the farmer,
" we will
summon the men on the walls to surrender. Theymust see that their case is desperate. There are
but sixty or seventy of them, and they are hope-
lessly outnumbered. If they refuse, I shall not at-
tack them; hunger and thirst will soon tame them.
We have not lost a life, and I would not that anyof your good fellows or mine should be killed, and
were we to storm the walls we should assuredly lose
many. I should be sorry indeed were any wives
left widows, or children fatherless, by this night's
work."
Accordingly, as soon as it became light, Conrad
summoned the men on the walls to surrender on
166 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
promise of their lives being spared. The answer
was a yell of defiance. When this subsided he said:
"Well, if it pleases you to starve like rats in a trap
you can do so; there is no hope of your escape or
of aid arriving. The baron, his son, and all the
party who rode with him are dead, the castle is in
my possession, and you are as much prisoners as if
you were in a dungeon." He now ordered his own
men and a dozen of his vassals to leave the court-
yard and form a line across the narrow neck bywhich the castle was approached, and to see that no
one passed; for he deemed it possible that a man
might be lowered from the wall to entreat aid from
some of the baron's neighbours. Food was brought
out from the castle and distributed. The men were
divided into four parties, each of which was to take
up its station near the foot of the four flights of
steps up to the wall. Two mounted men were sent
off to Waldensturm to fetch the young countess
back, and the courtyards were cleared of the bodies
that had fallen. Three hours later Minna arrived.
On the way she had heard the details of the capture
of the castle, and was delighted to hear that it had
been taken without the loss of a single man.
"I am proud of you, indeed," Minna said. "I
always was so, but after capturing in this waya castle that the baron considered impregnable,
I shall always regard you as a hero indeed."
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 167
"The credit is chiefly due to Grun and his
daughter," Conrad said." Without them we could
have done nothing; with their aid the matter was
simple enough."
The brother and sister sat for a long time talking
together in the great hall of the castle. They had
much to tell each other of what had happenedsince they had parted two years before.
"And you are really to be lord of this castle?"
she said." But can you keep it, Conrad ? the elector
may bring an army against it."
"I think I can hold it if he does; but I do
not think that he will. I have an order from
the emperor to the elector to declare the baron's
estates forfeited, and to install me in his place, and
it contains a threat that he would himself send a
force to carry this out if he failed to do so, and that
I should hold it direct from him. Had I not cap-
tured the castle, the parchment would have been
of little good; the elector would know that the
threat was a vain one, since the emperor has no
force that he could send on such a long expedi-
tion, needing every man in his struggle with the
Turks. Moreover, the elector regarded the baron
as a great friend of his, and even did he feel con-
strained by the command of the emperor to aid me,
he would know that he would need all the force
that he could raise to capture the castle. But
168 HOW COUNT CONRAD VON WALDENSTURM
now that it has been done, and I am its master,
the matter has changed altogether, and he would
rather have me as his friend than his enemy,
especially as most of the vassals that he could
call upon to aid in recapturing the castle must have
viewed with displeasure the baron's attack on myhold in my absence, after having taken the oath of
peace. No, I have no fear whatever of that. A
large portion of the vassals of the estate have aided
me, and all would take refuge here if a force
marched against me, and would fight till the last,
knowing that no mercy would be shown to them.
No, Minna, I think that we need have no fear for
the future."
At four o'clock in the afternoon Conrad was
summoned to the courtyard, as the men on the
wall had shouted that they were ready to sur-
render.
"I thought that they would soon be tired of
being cooped up there without food or drink,"
Conrad said as he went out;"I have been expecting
it for the last two or three hours."
Thirst rather than hunger had done its work,
and the certainty that sooner or later they must
give in had broken their spirit. As the count
appeared in the courtyard, there was a general
shout of:" We surrender, on the promise of our
lives."
TOOK GOLDSTEIN 169
" I promise you that. Now let every man take
off his armour, and lay it and his arms on the wall,
and then come down four at a time. You shall
have food and water given to you, and you will
then leave the castle, and anyone found within
the limits of the estate by nightfall will receive no
mercy."
In an hour the last of the garrison had left the
castle. The tenants on the estate at once dispersed
to their homes, all receiving a present from the
count, and a promise of remission of half that
year's dues. His own vassals he kept there, to
form, with his retainers, the garrison until he could
hire a sufficient force for that purpose. At the end
of that time they could return to their ruined
homes, Conrad promising them aid to rebuild their
houses, and an entire remission of all dues for the
next two years. Conrad then drew up a document,
addressed to the elector, stating what he had done,
and enclosing a copy of the emperor's order, saying
that he would himself present the original when he
visited the court of Treves. As he had anticipated,
the elector's reply was favourable." He had been," he said,
" shocked at the conduct
of the baron in attacking and ravaging the castle
and estates of Waldensturm, and the punishmentinflicted upon him was a just one. He would,
therefore, willingly accept Conrad as his vassal for
170 HOW COUNT CONRAD TOOK GOLDSTEIN
the feoff of Goldstein, and begged him to speedily
repair to his court to take the oaths."
Thus Conrad von Waldensturm revenged his
wrongs, and obtained the finest estate and the
strongest castle in the Electorate of Treves.
A RAID BY THE BLACKSA STOEY OF AN OUTLYING STATION
IBEGIN to think we were wrong in coming so
far out into the bush, but I was tempted bywhat Hawkins told me of the place, which he had
come across when exploring the country. It seemed
everything that could be desired: plenty of water,
timber for all purposes, and fine grazing; and I
admit that it is all that he said. The blacks were
quiet enough then, and, though it was a good bit
beyond the nearest station, I thought, when I came
and had a look at the place, that it was well worth
risking. We have not done badly here. The sheep
and cattle have pretty well doubled their number
each year; the wool has paid all our expenses.
Everything has been comfortable enough, except
the difficulty we have had in bringing up groceries
and flour. In another ten years, if all had gone well,
I should have been a really prosperous man, with a171
172 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
big flock of sheep and a fine herd of cattle, to say
nothing of horses; but now the blacks have got
nasty I begin to think that I have made a great
mistake."" Have you heard any more bad news, William?"
his wife asked anxiously.
"Yes; Harry Read rode up half an hour ago,
and said that he and his brother were going to
drive their animals in, and take them to the station
of a friend of his forty miles nearer Sydney, till
things settled down a bit, for he had heard that
two or three stations had been attacked by the
blacks and every soul murdered. What do you
think, wife? Shall we do the same?"
Mrs. Roberts was a courageous woman." I don't
know what to say," she replied." We are getting
on very well here. As you said, of course, we alwaysknew that there was some risk. We could not have
got a big station like this down-country without
paying a large sum for it, far more than we could
have afforded. I think it would be a pity to give
it up at present. After all, we may not be attacked.
You see, you have three men now, and we only
had one when we came here. You built the house
specially for defence, with squared logs, and even
logs for the roof, so that it could not be set on fire.
We could get the shingles off in an hour and, as
it is the dry season, I think it would be as well
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 173
to do that at once. I can shoot fairly well, and so
can Effie, and with six rifles we ought to be able
to keep off a mob of natives."
" But how about the animals ?"her husband said.
"Well, I should say that the best plan would be
to send the greater part of them away for a bit.
Talbot has nothing like enough stock on his place,
and I have no doubt he would be glad to graze
them for a bit at a very small rent. Of course, if
you think it best, I am quite ready to give the
place up, though in my opinion it would be a pity.
After all, the chances of the blacks coming here are
not great. There are dozens of other stations as ex-
posed as we are. We have had two or three alarms
before, but nothing has ever come of them.""I am glad that that is your opinion, wife, mine
is exactly the same. Certainly, for my own sake I
would a great deal rather stay here and take mychances. It was of you and Effie that I was thinking.
Well, then, we will consider it settled. I will ride
down to Talbot's at once and arrange with him.
I shall get back late this evening. To-morrow
morning we will take a lot of the stock over there.
Thompson shall go with me to help to drive them
down, but I shall bring him back, as it is as well
to keep as strong a garrison here as possible. I
can arrange with Talbot that one of his men shall
be specially told off to look after our animals. I
174 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
will pick out three hundred of the best ewes and a
few rams, a hundred cattle, and half a dozen of the
best horses. I need not take more horses than that.
They are all shy of a blackfellow, and there is not
much fear of their being caught; so we need not
bother about them, especially as, if they were taken
away to new ground, they would give a lot more
trouble than the sheep and cattle."
Mr. Roberts had been a small landed proprietor
in the old country, farming his own land. Times
had been bad, and the failure of a bank, in which
he had a few shares, had swept away not only all
his ready money, but had brought upon him heavycalls which he was unable to meet. He had a
brother who, some years before, had emigrated
to New South Wales, and he had given so favour-
able an account of the country that Mr. Roberts
decided to sell his land and emigrate there with
his wife and two children, a boy and a girl. After
meeting all claims, and paying their passages out, he
had arrived at Sydney with the sum of 3000. He
had wisely determined not to risk more than a
third of this, and, placing 2000 in a bank, he had
invested a thousand in sheep, cattle, and horses, and
had taken up some land on the extreme border of
the settlement. He had now been there four years,
and had been well contented with his choice. The
site was an exceptionally pleasant one. A small
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 175
stream ran through the property, which was better
wooded than most of the land in that part. His stock
had increased fourfold, and although there had been
occasional reports of trouble with the blacks, theyhad hitherto met with no molestation whatever.
Natives had come and gone, and had always been
hospitably received, and he certainly had no reason
to believe that there was anything but good feeling
between them and the inmates of the Springs, as
the station was called, from a spring that rose some
hundred and fifty yards away from the house and
was situated some feet above the floor level, the
water bubbling up into a barrel which was sunk in
the ground. A pipe whose end was inserted in the
barrel was buried underground, and through this
the water flowed, giving a constant supply to the
house. Another pipe conveyed the water to a
trough, which had been erected for the use of the
animals kept at the station. The other animals
watered at the stream.
The boy, who was now fifteen, had been for the
past two years at Sydney, living at his uncle's
and attending school. In another year he was to
return to the station. He had gone most reluc-
tantly, but his father had said: "I can quite
understand your liking this life, Ned, but I don't
wish you to grow up simply a bush farmer. The
colony is increasing fast, and there will be plenty
176 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
of openings for a young fellow of intelligence and
a fair education. I hope that by the time you grow
up I shall be able to settle you on a farm like mine,
and stock it well for you, if you decide upon follow-
ing this sort of life, or to start you in any line that
you may like to adopt in Sydney. You have had
two years of running wild, and if you remain here
you will speedily forget what little you have learned;
but in any case, three years at school will be a great
advantage to you."
Effie, the daughter, was now fourteen, a strong
healthy girl who could ride any horse on the station,
had been taught to use both pistol and rifle, and
was as bold and fearless as a boy.
It was late that night before Mr. Roberts returned,
and the next day he and Thompson drove the stock
down to Talbot's station, leaving strict injunctions
that the other men were not to go far from the
house, and were to keep the cattle and sheep in the
stock-yard. He returned the following day, and
for the next fortnight things went on as usual.
Late one night, however, in the third week, Effie
knocked at her father's door.
"I think there is something the matter, father,"
she called. "The animals are all uneasy in the
yard. I don't know what has disturbed them, but
they are evidently alarmed." In half a minute Mr.
Roberts appeared at the door, and followed the girl
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 177
to her room, which was at the back of the house,
overlooking the stock-yard." There is certainly something wrong, Effie," he
said, "after listening for a moment. The horses
and cattle are both uneasy."
He went downstairs to the room where the men
slept. "Get up at once," he said;" there is something
the matter. The horses and cattle are uneasy; I
am afraid it is the blacks. Throw on your clothes
and take your guns. We will go out at once and
take down all the bars, so that if it is really the
blacks the animals will have a chance of escaping.
It is pitch dark, and even if there are some of them
in the yard they are not likely to see us."
Two minutes later the door was very cautiously
opened and the four men went out. Effie barred
it behind them, and then joined her mother, who
had hastily dressed. Both took their guns and
went to Effie's window, which was already open." We shall not be able to see where to fire,
mother.""No, dear; but if the blacks do attack, we shall
hear by their yelling whereabouts they are, and can
fire in that direction. We may not hit any of them,
but it will confuse and alarm them. However, re-
member, when we hear any stir, the first thing for
you to do is to run down to the door in readiness
to open it when your father and the men return."
(B286) M
178 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
"The sheep are moving about now; they were
quiet before, mother.""It is likely the blacks will begin there," Mrs.
Roberts said. "No doubt they are hungry, and
it is always sheep that they make for first. Theywill very likely kill some and have a feast before
attacking. I trust, however, that they may not
attack at all. They must know that the house is a
strong one, and may not care to risk their lives, but
have only come to drive off the stock. Still, I amafraid they will try and attack, hoping we may be
asleep and that they may gain entrance before we
have time to get our rifles."
Four or five minutes later a low whistle was heard
outside. Effie ran down and opened the door, when
her father and the men at once entered and the
door was bolted behind them."Well," Mr. Roberts said,
"I fear there is no doubt
that there are blacks about, and from the uneasiness
of the animals I should say there are a good number
of them. However, we are warned, and I think
that the surprise will be on their side and not on
ours. We removed all the bars, so the animals can
get away if they like. Also, I have locked the
door of the stable. Except for the uneasiness of the
animals we saw no signs of the enemy at all. Now,the first thing to do is to get the shutters closed."
This was at once done. Mr. Roberts had always been
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 179
a little nervous of trouble with the blacks, so in
addition to building his house of solid logs he had
had strong loopholed shutters arranged on all the
windows of the lower story, which when closed were
held in their position by massive cross-bars.
They discussed the best position for each to take
in case of attack, and having arranged this, one of
the men went up to keep a look-out from the upper
windows, while the rest of the party remained
chatting in the sitting-room. "I wish there was
a moon," Mr. Roberts said; "it is so dark that weshall be firing quite at random."
" Could we not make some sort of a torch," Effie
suggested," that would light up the place outside ?
"
" That is a first-rate idea, Eifie; but how are we to
manage it?"
The party sat silent for some minutes, then Effie
said: "There is plenty of wool. How would it be
to make a bundle of it about as big as my head,
wind it round with wire, then soak it in paraffin.
When the natives come we have only to put a
match to it and throw it outside."
"Very good indeed, Effie," her father said; "let
us try to carry out the idea at once, and as all the
materials are to hand it will not take us long." In
half an hour six of the balls were finished. Each
had a short length of wire by which it could be
thrown through the window. Fortunately there
180 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
was plenty of paraffin, and a bucket being filled
with it, the balls were soaked one after another, and
were then carried upstairs each in a separate basin." We shall have to be very careful how we throw
them," Mr. Roberts said," or else we shall be setting
ourselves on fire. Thompson, you are, I think, the
worst shot of the lot, as you are rather short-sighted.
I will therefore trust this business to you. Have
an old blanket ready to beat out any of the burningoil that may drop on the floor. Be careful also to
keep as much in shelter as possible, some of the
blacks are sure to have bows ready."" All right, boss ! you need not fear, I will look out.
Now, as I am to be on duty upstairs, I might as
well go up at once and send James down. I think,
boss, you had better take post at the loopholes now,
you may catch sight of one of the varmints against
the sky-line. I will throw a ball as soon as I
hear the first shot."
All was quiet for a quarter of an hour, then Effie
suddenly fired. The shot was followed by a wild
yell outside, and dozens of dark figures leaped to
their feet and bounded towards the door, and strove
to break it in with their waddies and axes. The
defenders were all hard at work, and an occasional
yell of pain showed that their bullets were taking
effect. Suddenly there was an even wilder yell as
a brilliant ball of fire fell twenty yards from the
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 181
house, lighting up the front of it almost as if it
were day. Every shot told now, and in a minute
the natives fled with wild bounds outside the circle
of light, but losing heavily before they vanished
into the darkness."Well, I do not think they will try that game
again," Mr. Roberts said when the firing ceased, and
after shaking hands wildly all round they sat down.
"I did not expect them to attack so boldly. It is
quite contrary to their usual habits, and if it had
not been for the fire-ball I do not know how things
would have gone. That was a splendid idea, Effie.
Why, you ought to set up as an inventor!"
There was no further attack, but two hours later
one of the men on watch thought he heard a move-
ment in the neighbourhood of the spring, but on
firing a shot in that direction all was quiet, and
there was no further disturbance till day broke.
Soon after daylight all the party except the man
on watch sat down to breakfast and discussed the
events of the night.
"What do you think they will do next, father?"
EfEe asked.
"I do not know whether they will hunt down
the cattle and horses, and drive them off, or whether
they will hang round here for a time; it is difficult
to say. At any rate I don't think we have anycause for uneasiness, except so far as touches one's
182 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
pockets. It is lucky, indeed, that we shifted more
than half our animals to Talbot's. Henceforth wemust divide into two parties, and keep watch by
turn, for we have provisions enough to last for a
couple of months. They had only one chance, and
that was to set the place on fire; but that we prac-
tically did away with when we took the shingles off
the roof. They would never venture to bring sticks
and fire up to the doors in the teeth of our rifles."
Two hours passed quietly, then loud yells were
heard, and a number of specks of fire shot throughthe air.
"Blazing arrows," the settler said quietly. "I
expect they have a white man among them, an
escaped convict, of course, and he has put them upto this. I don't fancy they use fire-arrows, thoughof course they may do so. Well, they can amuse
themselves as long as they like; they may go on for
four-and-twenty hours, but they will never set
those beams on fire."
For ten minutes the flight of arrows continued.
Those below could hear the constant tapping as the
missiles struck the roof. At the end of that time
they ceased to fall, the natives evidently recognizing
that for some reason or other their attempt was a
complete failure. They made no more efforts, but
small groups of them could be seen out on the
plain in pursuit of the animals. These, however,
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 183
were evidently alarmed by the shouts and proceed-
ings of the night before, and made off at the top
of their speed whenever the natives approached.
The horses were especially wild, and kept a con-
siderable distance away."It will take them a good many days to gather
them in," Mr. Roberts said grimly."Fortunately
your horses and mine, Effie, are safe in the shed,
and as we fastened the door, and it is commanded
by the loopholes in the shutters on that side of the
house, as long as we hold out they will be safe.
As soon as the rascals have gone off I will ride into
the settlements, get a dozen men to help us, and
then we will set off in pursuit. I should think
that by to-morrow at latest they are likely to give
it up as a bad job. They must know that they
have no chance of starving us out."
The blacks, however, evinced no intention of
leaving. They could be seen moving about amongthe trees. By the smoke that rose in that direction
it was evident that they had kindled large fires,
but these were so far within the bush that their
exact position could not be made out. A shot was
fired from time to time when a black showed
himself, but this was done rather for the purposeof showing that the besieged were on the watch
than with the hope of hitting the quickly-moving
figure. The main body of the sheep were huddled
184 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
out on the plain half a mile away under the chargeof two of the blacks. Leaving Mrs. Roberts and
Effie on the watch, the rest of the party now went
out and dragged the bodies of the natives who had
been killed some distance from the house, and
covered them with a thick layer of earth. Two or
three of the sheep had been killed by chance shots,
and these were carried in, skinned, and hung up." That will be ample to last us," the colonist said
;
"they will be off long before these are eaten. This
evening it is likely they will be making a great feast,
but I expect to-morrow morning they will be off to
carry out some fresh rascality elsewhere. If I
thought they intended to stop here longer, I would
try to get through them to-night to fetch help."
"I wouldn't do that, boss, in any case," one of
the men said." That is just what they are thinking
you will try to do, and I warrant they will be as
thick as peas round the place to-night."
The next morning, however, it was seen that the
blacks had no intention of moving at present.
Parties of twos and threes were starting across the
plain, evidently with the intention of driving in
some of the cattle.
"I cannot make it out," one of the men said
rather anxiously; "I can't think what their gamecan be. As a rule they strike a blow, have a big
feast, and then are off at once, driving the sheep
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 185
before them. It is quite contrary to their nature
to loiter about like this. They must be up to some
move or other, though what it is I cannot guess, for
they must know well enough that they have not
the ghost of a chance of taking this place. I feel
sure they have got a white man with them. I
caught a glimpse of a fellow who seemed to be
dressed in white's clothes. He was well in amongthe trees, but I took a shot at him. It was not
broad daylight and it was dark under the trees, so
I could not swear to his being white; but if he
wasn't he was some black who had rigged himself
out in the clothes of some poor beggar they killed
at the last station."
In a few minutes they saw a number of blacks
sally out from the wood. They planted themselves
in small parties in a circle of half a mile round the
farm, and presently all lay down and crept to
within half that distance.
"They are determined that we sha'n't get away,"
Mr. Roberts said grimly."Happily we do not
want to do so."
As he spoke his wife's voice was heard." Come down, William, come down!"
There was no question that something was
wrong. The settler ran below, and he saw by his
wife's face that it was something very serious.
"What is it, Jane?" he asked anxiously.
186 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
" There is no water," she exclaimed. " I went to
the tap to get some for the kettle; a quart or two
trickled out and then it stopped."
Her husband stood stupefied at the news.
"I thought yesterday that it was not runningas fast as usual, but I did not give it a second
thought.""They must have done something to the spring.
Some of the natives who have been here must have
noticed you drawing water, and have told other
blackfellows of the water running out from the
side of a wall whenever you wanted it. If there is
a white man among them he would, when he heard
the story, be sure that water was obtained from
a spring. He would hear about a barrel being
sunk in the ground, and I have no doubt that, after
their attack failed the night before last, he had the
pipe stopped up. If you recollect, James thought
he heard somebody up there and fired. I have
no doubt it was then that they played this trick.
There would be enough water in the pipe itself
to supply us yesterday; now it has come to an
end. This accounts for their stopping here. It is
a terrible blow, and it may be a fatal one*"
He then went up to the men and explained what
had happened. All saw how serious the position
had at once become." We must hold on till the last, sir," one of them
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 187
said. "You may be sure that they would spare
none of us after losing so many of their men the
other night."" My wife says there is rather over two quarts
of water left. We must content ourselves with half
a pint a day; that would last us for three days.
When we are thirsty we must chew some of the
raw meat; in that way we ought to be able to
hold out for four or five days. Before that time
the news that we are besieged here may reach the
settlements, or some of our friends may ride over.
We will fire a rifle every five minutes or so to give
them warning that something is up, and they will
take care not to fall into an ambush, and as soon as
they find how matters stand will ride back and
bring help."
It was but a feeble ground for hope, but all
agreed that it might happen as he said.
" Do you think that there is any chance of
getting through, Mr. Roberts? I could try if you
like," Thompson said.
"I should say not the slightest; and now we
know what they reckon upon, you may be sure that
the whole of them are pretty close round the house
at night. They are as cunning as cats at their own
work, and a man would be riddled with spears
before he had gone twenty yards."
Effie had gone up after her father, and listened
188 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
in silence to the conversation. Suddenly she said:
" You forget the apples, father. Surely they would
do to quench our thirst."
"Capital, Effie ! I had forgotten all about them.
There are six barrels in the cellar, and with their
aid we can hold out for a long time. That alters
the position altogether." There was a general
exclamation of satisfaction from the men; the grim-
ness of their faces relaxed, and they shook hands
heartily in their relief at their escape from what
they all felt was a terrible danger.
Two days passed. The cordon round the house
was steadily maintained. Shots were fired every
five minutes, but the natives all lay under shelter,
and there was no sign that the firing had had anyeffect. Several times the possibility of making a
dash through them on one of the horses was dis-
cussed, but each time was negatived. The alarm
would be given as soon as the horse was led out
from the stable, and the blackfellows would have
time to gather at any point.
Effie went out twice a day with food for the
horses, and each time carried a dozen large apples
in her apron, which she gave them after they had \
eaten their corn. On the evening of the second
day she took with her a bottle of oil, with which
she carefully lubricated the hinges of the door and
the padlock. The first day she had said to herself
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 189
over and over again: "If Jack were here I am
sure he would manage to get out." On the second
day she said to herself: "If Jack could do so whyshouldn't I? We may hold out till they go away,
but if we do they will go somewhere else and kill
some other settlers; while if we could but give them
a lesson they might not come again for a long time."
She waited another day in hopes that the blacks
would leave. When they did not do so, she decided
to make the attempt that night.
On leaving the stable she put the padlock into
its place, but did not lock it; then she wrote a line
to leave in her room, telling her parents what she
had done. She had, during the day, taken out a
suit of her brother's clothes, which fitted her fairly
well. She had already saddled her horse, and puthis bridle on. When she went up to bed she
changed her clothes, knowing that it would be
far easier to crawl in boy's clothes than in her
own. Her window had been open all day, and she
now fastened two blankets firmly together, tied one
end to the leg of a table by the window, and after
waiting until she knew that all the house, with the
exception of the two men on guard, were fairly
asleep, she slid down the blanket. It was but
some ten feet to the ground. She was now within
a few yards of the stable, which was built facing
the house. She opened the door, noiselessly felt her
190 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
way to her horse, and led it to the door. Then she
laid the reins across his neck, stroked his nose
a signal which he well understood was'an order for
him to stand still until she whistled for him, and
then she lay down and crawled noiselessly along.
She had left her shoes behind her lest they should
scrape against the wall while she descended.
The night was pitch dark, and she progressed
very slowly, pausing for a moment after each step
she made, to listen for the sound of breathing, or for
some movement that would tell her she was near one
of the enemy. Once or twice she heard slight sounds
and changed her course. As it was the stock-yard
she was crossing, there was no vegetation by brush-
ing against which she might cause a rustling of
leaves. She had, on leaving the stable, made first
for the bars dividing the sheep from the horses,
judging that the natives would be thickest round
the entrance to the horse-pen, as it was through
this a horseman would naturally pass on his wayout. Once through, she kept for the most part close
to the bars, as she would thus be less likely to be
observed than if she crossed the open. So she kept
on until she came to the outer bars. Here she lay
for some time listening intently. She heard mur-
mured sounds on both sides of her, but especially
towards the gates of the sheep-yard. At last, con-
vinced that no one could be within some yards of
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 191
her, she crawled under the lower bar and kept
straight on. She had the comfort of knowing that
it was not for any slight sound the blacks would
be listening, but for the opening of the door of the
house or stables. She crawled for a good quarter
of a mile before she felt assured that she was well
beyond the cordon of natives.
Then she stood up, put the whistle she always
carried to her lips, and blew twice, sharply and
loudly. In the stillness of the night she could
instantly hear the sound of a horse's feet. Then
there was a burst of yells and shouts. This con-
tinued, but the rapid tramp of hoofs kept on. She
whistled again, and a minute later the horse dashed
up to her. She sprang on his back with a word of
encouragement, patted him on the neck, and then
set off at full speed. A hundred yards behind, the
blacks were running as hard as they could, filling
the air with their shouts, but she felt that she- was
safe now. The strong steady pace showed her that
the horse could not have sustained any serious injury.
This indeed was the case. So swiftly was the
distant whistle followed by the approach of the
galloping horse that the blacks had scarce time to
take up their spears and waddies when the animal
dashed through them, scattering those in its pathlike chaff before him. Spears had been thrown,
but they were aimed high, at the rider who they
192 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
believed was in the saddle, and only one had
slightly grazed the animal's back. The girl took
a circuit, lest some of the blacks should be on the
road, and knowing every foot of the country she
regained the track two miles farther on, at which
time she had eased down to a speed which she knew
the horse could maintain for a long time. The
forty miles between the Springs and Talbot's farm
were performed under four hours. Leaping from
the horse she knocked at the door, and a voice
from an upper window soon asked: "Who's there,
and what is wanted?" A few words explained her
errand. She heard Mr. Talbot's voice shouting to
the men, and soon the door was opened.
"Besieged for four days by blacks, Miss Roberts!
I never heard of their doing such a thing before.
Have you had hard fighting?"
"No; they made a rush at first, but we easily
beat them off. But they cut offour water-supply, and
have been lying round to prevent any of us getting
away, making sure that we should have to give in
from thirst. Fortunately we have plenty of apples
and could keep going for another fortnight. Theyhave a white man with them, and no doubt it was
he who put them up to cutting the water-pipe.
Will you send out to all the settlers round? I am
going to ride on to Pickford to fetch the constabu-
lary there."
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 193
"No, indeed!" Mr. Talbot said; "you have done
enough for to-night. I will start at once for Pick-
ford, and my men will go off to the settlers round.
We shall have at least twenty or five-and-twenty
here by nine o'clock to-morrow. I will leave one
of my men here, and my wife will look after you,
and make you comfortable. It is past two o'clock
now. I shall be at Pickford by six, and by ten or
eleven Lieutenant Jordan and his twelve men will
arrive. I have plenty of horses in the yard, and
while the police are having breakfast we can changethe saddles. We won't hurry on the way to your
place, as we shall want the horses to be pretty
fresh, so as to take up the pursuit of the blacks.
An hour one way or another will make no differ-
ence to your people, as the blacks will hardly attack
in daylight. Of course they may make a final
attempt to take the place to-night, for your escape
will tell them that they have no time to lose. I
should not be surprised if theymake off the firstthing
in the morning. However, we will follow them up,
and are certain to overtake them if they try, as no
doubt they will, to carry off some of the cattle and
sheep. Jordan will be delighted at the chance of
giving them a lesson that will keep them quiet for
some time to come. I won't stop now to ask youhow you got out; you can tell us about that as weride back with you."
(B286) N
194 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
Mrs. Talbot had now come down, and in a few
minutes Effie was in bed, having the satisfaction,
before she retired, of hearing five mounted men ride
off at full gallop, and of knowing that her horse
had been well cared for. She was up at eight and
assisting Mrs. Talbot to prepare breakfast for the
expected arrivals. It was not long before the first
comers rode in, all eager to rescue the party at the
Springs, and to inflict a heavy blow upon the
natives. Each, on the arrival of Mr. Talbot's
messengers, had sent off men in other directions,
and by nine o'clock thirty had arrived. All carried
rifles and pistols, and each brought a led horse with
him, as Mr. Talbot had told the men to suggest that
they should do so, for they would not be able to
obtain remounts at the Springs, and as they mighthave to follow up the blacks for a considerable dis-
tance it was well that each should have two horses.
As Efl&e felt shy about appearing in boy's clothes,
Mrs. Talbot lent her a blouse and skirt. Great
was the admiration expressed when she told how
she had undertaken on her own account to fetch
assistance, and how she had successfully carried out
the attempt. Mr. Talbot, with the party of police,
came in at eleven o'clock, by which time a dozen
more settlers, who lived at a greater distance than
the earlier comers, had also arrived; after a halt for
half an hour to give the police a chance of a meal,
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 195
the whole party started. The horses of the police
had a good feed, and each trooper was furnished
with another mount from Mr. Talbot's yard. These
their officer decided had better be led until they
reached the Springs, and they would then be able
to start in pursuit on comparatively fresh animals.
Effie, of course, rode with them. Although she felt
certain that all was well, she was in a fever of
excitement to get home. She knew her parents
would be very anxious about her. Her absence
would have been discovered directly she started,
as the outburst of the yells would have caused
all to catch up their rifles and run to the windows.
If, as Mr. Talbot had thought likely, the natives,
on finding that she had got off safely, had made
an attack upon the house, the defenders would
feel assured that she had got safely away, and
in any case the absence of any yells of exultation
would be almost proof that she had succeeded. It
was just four o'clock when they reached the
Springs. No signs of the blacks had been met with,
and as the party rode down the slope towards the
house, Mr. Roberts, his wife, and the men ran out
to receive them.
"You have frightened us horribly, Effie," her
father said, after the first greetings, "but we felt
sure that you must have got away. We could not
tell that you would not be overtaken, though we
196 A RAID BY THE BLACKS
had every hope that you were safe. Thompson,who was on watch on that side, declared that he
heard one of the horses gallop off just before the
row began, and before that he had heard what he
was sure was your whistle some distance away, but
he could not tell that the horse had got safely
through, or that he had not been so severely injured
as to be unable to carry you far. Thank God that
it has all turned out well! You ought not to have
made the attempt without consulting us, and you
may be very sure that we should not have allowed
you to try if you had."
" That was just why I did not do so, father," the
girl said. "No one could have done it but I,
because neither of the horses would have answered
to the whistle. Besides, being so much smaller and
lighter, I had a better chance of getting through."
"You must not scold her, Roberts," Mr. Talbot,
who had been standing close by, said." She has
done a splendid action, and you and her mother
ought to be proud of her. She will be regarded as
a heroine by the whole district."
While they were speaking, the police-officer had
been questioning the men, and learnt that a few
minutes after the girl left there had been a fierce
attack on the house, which had been repulsed with
the loss of some fifteen of the assailants, and that,
when day broke, the natives had been seen making
A RAID BY THE BLACKS 197
off in the distance with fifty or sixty cattle, and
a flock of two or three hundred sheep. No time
was lost. Bags of flour and parcels of tea and
sugar were made up. No meat was taken, as the
natives were sure to spear any animals that could
not keep up with the main flock. The saddles were
all shifted to the horses that were being led, and
half an hour after their arrival the party were in
their saddles again, Mr. Roberts riding his ownhorse and his men three that the blacks had been
unable to catch, but which had remained close to
the station, and which were now easily driven in.
It was not thought necessary to leave any guardat the farm, and when it was proposed, Mrs. Roberts
laughed at the idea.
"The blacks have all gone," she said, "but if
there are a few still lurking about, Efne and I can
easily defend the house. We will take care not to
stir out till you return."
Three days later the party returned. They had
overtaken the blacks on the evening of the dayafter starting, had killed at least half of them,
including their white leader, and had recovered
all the animals. So sharp was the lesson that
the Roberts family were never afterwards troubled
by a hostile visit from the natives.
Blackie & Son's
Story Books for Girls
KATHARINE TYNANA Girl of Galwav with 8 full-Pa^e "lustrations
*V *
by JOHN H. BACON. 6s.
\Vhen Bertha Grace is on the threshold of young womanhood, she goesto stay with her grandfather in Ireland, with the trust from her mother of
reconciling him and his son, Bertha's father. Bertha finds her grandfathera recluse and a miser, and in the hands of an underling, who is his evil
genius. How she keeps faith with her mother and finds her own fate,
through many strange adventures, is the subject of the story."Full of the poetic charm we are accustomed to find in the works of that gifted
writer." World.
- The Handsome Brandons. "'^IJ? ^D. HAMMOND, R.I.
3-r.6d. New Edition.
A delightful story of an ancient Irish family. Every one ef the nine
young Brandons was handsome, and every one was spirited and lovable.
The shadows in the picture hang ominously over Castle Angry and its
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"The Handsome Brandons" with the re-establishment of the familyfortunes.
" A really excellent piece of work, . . . the literary quality of Miss Tynan'swork is its chief distinction." Spectator.
CAROLINE AUSTIN
ftrations by W. PARK-Cousin Geoffrey and I.
with 6
JINSON. 3-r.
The only daughter of a country gentleman finds herself unprovided for at
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a startling event brings her cousin Geoffrey and herself together again." Miss Austin's story is bright, clever, and well developed." Saturday Review.
[46] (17) B
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
ELLINOR DAVENPORT ADAMSA Queen among Girls.
Cloth, 3-r. 6d.
Augusta Pembroke is the head of her school, the favourite of her teachers
and fellow-pupils, who are attracted by her fearless and independent nature
and her queenly bearing. She dreams of a distinguished professional
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timid little brother Adrian, the victim of his guardian-uncle's harshness.
The story describes the daring means adopted by Augusta for Adrian's relief.
" An interesting and well-written narrative, in which humour and a keen eye for
character unite to produce a book happiry adapted for modern maidens." Globe.
-A Girl of To-Dav With 6 page IMstrations by-L^ CV *
G. D. HAMMOND, R.I. y. 6d.
" What are Altruists?" humbly asks a small boy."They are only people
who try to help others," replies the Girl of To-Day. To help their poorer
neighbours, the boys and girls of Woodend band themselves together into
the Society of Altruists. That they have plenty of fun is seen in the
shopping expedition and in the successful Christmas entertainment."
It is a spirited story. The characters are true to nature and carefully developed.Such a book as this is exactly what is needed to give a school-girl an interest in the
development of character."
Educational Times.
FRANCES ARMSTRONGA Oirl'c T ovaltv With 6 Illustrations by JOHN H.** VJlllb J_,uycULy. BACQN Cloth, 3J. &* NewEdition.
When she was still but a child, Helen Grant received from her grand-father, on his death- bed, a secret message. The brief words remainedfast in her memory, and dominated her whole career. She was loyal to
her trust, however, and to her friends in the hour of their need. For the
girl was possessed of that quick courage which leaps up in a shy nature
when evil-doers have to be unmasked, and wrongs made right.
"The one book for girls that stands out this year is Miss Frances Armstrong'sA Girfs Loyalty." Review ofReviews.
MRS. "HERBERT MARTINThe Two Dorothys:
* '"
In this story the shy, dreamy, unselfish Dorothy Heriot comes to live
with her great-aunt, the other Dorothy. This old lady is kind enough, but
her discipline is unsympathetic. But the younger Dorothy's loving, unselfish
nature wins upon the proud old lady, and the end is happiness." Will not only interest and please all girls, but will also stimulate and encourage
to better and higher things, youthful hopes and ambitions." The Lady.
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
ETHEL F. HEDDLEThe Town's Verdict. Large crown 8vo cloth
elegant, gilt top, 6s.
In the picturesque university town of St. Andrews, at a period of about
seventy-five years ago, Miss Heddle finds the locale of this interesting story.The plot is concerned with professors and students, town and gown, Anglo-Indians and old residents, and the reader is introduced to some of the
strongly-marked personalities for which the time was famous. A student
is thrown over the cliffs and killed, and his assailant cannot be traced.
More than one person is under suspicion, but in the end the truth is madeplain, and the happiness of the heroine is secured.
" Miss Heddle has both humour and pathos within her reach, and tells an admirable
story." Sheffield Telegraph.
-Strangers in the Land. HAROLD
Two old maiden ladies and their charming young friend, Elspeth Mac-donald, voyage to the beautiful island of Java on a quest that involves a
story of uncommon interest. In the course of a series of exciting adven-
tures, Elspeth unwittingly makes a discovery which seriously affects herfriends. Towards the close the narrative is darkened by tragedy, but aflood of sunshine is thrown on the final chapter by the happy ending of
a pleasant love-story."Apart from providing the best of entertainment, this book is noteworthy as
stimulating high ideals of life and action, and renewing faith in lofty and chivalroussentiment as a factor in human service." Dundee Advertiser.
An Orirrinal Oirl With 8 full-page Illustrations byoriginal ^rin.
GORDON BROWNE . 6j.
Christobel Beauchamp makes her living by typewriting in an office till
chance throws her across the path of Lady Anne Prideaux, her grand-mother. Her mother had made a mesalliance by marrying an actor. LadyAnne desires to adopt Christobel, but the girl prefers to help her father.
The story tells how the poor actor at last receives his "call", and endswith the promise of good fortune for Christobel and her devoted lover.
"A very clever, well-constructed tale is this, and we wish it success."British Weekly.
-A Mystery of St. Rule's.th * Illu
!fations
J J by G. DEMAINHAMMOND, R.I. 6s.
" The author has been amazingly successful in keeping her secret almost to theend. Yet the mystery attending a stolen diamond of great value is so skilfullyhandled that several perfectly innocent persons seem all but hopelessly identifiedwith the disappearance of the gem. Cleverly, however, as this aspect of the storyhas been managed, it has other sources of strength." Scotsman.
"The ehisf interest . . . lies in the fascinating young adventuress, who findsa temporary nest in the old professor's family, and wins all hearts in St. Rule's byher beauty and her sweetness." Morning Leader.
(19)
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
ROSA MULHOLLAND(L4DY GILBERT)
Ar^irl'c Trleal A Story of a Fortune. Illustrated byVT11 A O Jl vlv^tli i-i T T rt fR. HOPE. Large crown Svo, olivme
edges, 5.5-.
Tabby, an Irish-American girl, has a twelve years' lease of a greatincome, the entire control of the fortune having been rejected by her as
dependent on intolerable conditions. She tours through Europe, meetsFrench and English cousins, and comes to Dublin to restore the decayedpoplin factoiy of her Huguenot ancestor. Losing personal happiness in
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purpose keep her true to her chosen motto: "\N hat I had, I spent; What
I saved, I lost; \Vhat I gave, I have"."Tabby is one of the most lovable and sensible heroines in recent fiction."
Dundee Advertiser.
-Cynthia's Bonnet Shop.R.I. 5-T.
Cynthia, one of three charming lively siste'rs or* an impoverished Con-
naught family, desires to make money for the sake of her delicate mother..
Cynthia and her star-struck sister Befind go to London, the former to
open a bonnet shop, which becomes a great success, and the other to
pursue the study of astronomy. How both girls find new interests in
life, more important even than bonnet shop or star-gazing, is described
with mingled humour and pathos.
"Just of the kind to please and fascinate a host of girl readers."
Liverpool Mercury.
-The Girls of Banshee Castle.Wf
6111i
;
s -
trations by
JOHN H. BACON. 35. 6d.
Three girls, with an old governess, migrate from Kensington to the
West of Ireland. Belonging as they do to "the ould family", the girls
are made heartily welcome in the cabins of the peasantry, where theylearn many weird and curious tales from the folk-lore of the district. Aninteresting plot runs through the narrative, but the charm of the story lies,
in its happy mingling of Irish humour and pathos."
Is told with grace, and brightened by a knowledge of Irish folk-lore, making it
a perfect present for a girl in her teens." Truth.
^ ^irl's Story of Herself. With 6 full-page
Illustrations by LOCKHART BOGLE. 3^.
The story of a changeling who is suddenly transferred to the position of
a rich English heiress. She develops into a good and accomplished woman,and has gained too much love and devotion to be a sufferer by the surrender
of her estates.
(20)
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
ELIZA F. POLLARDFor the Red Rose. by JAMES
A gipsy finds a little girl in the forest of Wimbourne, after the sackingof the castle by the Yorkists. He carries her to the camp and she is
adopted by the tribe. The story tells how, when some years later Mar-
garet of Anjou and her son are wrecked on the coast of England, the gipsy
girl follows the fortunes of the exiled queen, and by what curious chain of
events her own origin is discovered.
"This is a good story, and of special interest to lovers of historical romanee."
Court Circular
-The Doctor's Niece with 6 Illustrations b>'IMCCC. SYDNEY CowELL> 3Sf 6^
The scene of this charming story is laid in Brittany at the end of the
eighteenth century. The heroine is educated considerably above herstation. When she is about sixteen she becomes companion to a little
girl at a neighbouring chateau. Her charge mysteriously disappears duringa peasant rebellion, and she goes out into the woods to find her. Theresult of the adventure is that Rosette discovers her mother, who provesto be the rightful owner of the chateau, and the tale ends happily.
"Full of mystery, Adventure, and a winning simplicity." Bookman.
-The King's Signet: % Sto\,t / T1 ,
HuguenotQ o Family. With 6 Illustrations
by G. DEMAIN HAMMOND, R.I. 3^. 6J.
This story relates the adventures of a noble Huguenot family, drivenout of their chateau by the dragoons after the Revocation of the Edict of
Nantes. A friend of the family, Claudine Malot, who is also a Huguenot,but a protegee of Madame de Maintenon, possesses a talisman, by meansof which she saves many lives; but this brings trouble upon her, and shehas to leave France. The adventures lead to the battle of the Boyne,and to the happy reunion of the scattered family in Ireland.
"A stirring tale of the persecution of the Huguenots clearly and touchingly told."
Guardian.
ANNIE E. ARMSTRONGTh ree Rri o-h f- Oi rl <s
with 6 full;P
age illustrations
iigiii is.by w pARklNSON> y^ 6d
By a sudden turn of fortune's wheel the three heroines are brought downfrom a household of lavish comfort to meet the incessant cares and worriesof those who have to eke out a very limited income. The charm of the
story lies in the cheery helpfulness of spirit developed in the girls by their
changed circumstances." Ever bright and cheerful, they influence other lives, and at last they come out
of their trials with honour to themselves and benefits to all about them."Teachers' Aid.
(21)
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
E. EVERETT-GREENLittle Lady Clare, illustrated 2s.6d
The little Lady Clare inherits the responsibilities of an ancestry and a
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the divided house, which is at last united again in a romantic manner.
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The characters are very real and lifelike. Is quite one of the best stories Miss Greenhas yet given us." Literary World.
SARAH TYTLERA Loyal Little Maid. ^^^ by
This pretty story is founded on a romantic episode of Mar's rebellion.
A little girl has information which concerns the -afety of her father in hid-
ing, and this she firmly refuses to divulge to a king's officer. She is lodgedin the Tolbooth, where she finds a boy champion, whom in future years she
rescues in Paris from the lettre de cachet which would bury him in the Bastille.
" Has evidently been a pleasure to write, and makes very enjoyable reading."Literature.
- Girl Neighbours. With 6 Illustrations. 3*.
A story for girls, told in that quaint, delightful fashion which has madeMiss Tytler's books so popular and attractive. The introduction of the
two young ladies from London, who represent the modern institutions of
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"One of the most effective and quietly humorous of Miss Sarah Tytler's stories.
Very healthy, very agreeable, and very well written." The Spectator.
ALICE CORKRANC^-\-r\\\ r\r\(\
page Illustra-Margery Merton's Girlhood.with 6 ful1'
tions by GORDON BROWNE, is, 6d.
The experiences of an orphan girl who in infancy is left by her father an
officer in India to the care of an elderly aunt residing near Paris. Theaccounts of the various persons who have an after influence on the story are
singularly vivid.
"Margery Merton's Girlhood is a piece of true literature, as dainty as it is deli-
cate, and as sweet as it is simple." Woman's World.
(22)
From THE FOUR MISS WHITTINGTONSBY GERALDINE MOCK.LKR. 5.?.
NANCE RELINQUISHED THE TOASTING-FORK WITHOUT ANY DEMUR'
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
GERALDINE MOCKLERThe Four Miss Whittingtons : .
story for
O Girls. With8 full-page Illustrations by CHARLES M. SHELDON. 5^.
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solved to spend on training themselves for the different careers for which
they were severally most fitted. On their limited means this was hard
work, but their courageous experiment was on the whole very successful.
"A story of endeavour, industry, and independence of spirit." IVorld.
BESSIE MARCHANTTrv<sfl y b
Story of the Siberian Frontier. Illus-
JAMES F SI.OANE. sj. 6d.
Hope Delayne is the daughter of an English merchant who has settled
in a little frontier town of Siberia, for a secret purpose. Hope's Russianfriend becomes implicated in the smuggling of gold across the border into
Chinese territory. Ignorant of this, Hope one night volunteers to keepa tryst for her at the edge of the great forest. This adventure at first leads
to trouble, but Hope's courage and straightforward simplicity at last convert
the seeming misfortune into good fortune, and the tale ends happily."Hope is a capital heroine, frank, courageous, and affectionate, and her story is one
which will delight genuine girls." Globe.
A Heroine of the Sea.Illustrated
JyA - M 'LEL -
LAN. 3-y. oa.
Maudie's home was on the wild westerly shore of Vancouver Island, andshe earned her living by fishing in the Inlet, heartily despising all merelyfeminine occupations, and not even knowing that she was beautiful. Then
changes come, and Maudie awakes to the charm of a domestic life. Clouds
gather about the home, and many troubles intervene before the mysteryis at last happily cleared away."A genuine tale of adventure for girls, and girls will thoroughly enjoy it." Academy.
Three Girls on a Ranch: ^ Story of
Mexico. With
4 page Illustrations by W, E. WEBSTER. 2s, 6d.
The Lovell family emigrate from England to New Mexico, where theysettle on a ranch. Mr. Lovell is delicate and unfit for farming, but the
three eldest girls take upon themselves the burden of working the ranch.
They have adventures of a perilous kind, and the story of their mishapsand how they overcame them is throughout both exciting and stimulating.
" A story with a fresh, bright theme, well handled,"
Nottingham Guardian." A rousing book for young people." Queen.
BLACKIE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS
SARAH DOUDNEYUnder False Colours. ^.
Story,5T Atw
?11
Girls>
Lives. With 6 Illustra-
tions by G. G. KILBURNE. y. 6d.
A story which will attract readers of all ages and of either sex. Theincidents of the plot, arising from the thoughtless indulgence of a deceptivefreak, are exceedingly natural, and the keen interest of the narrative is sus-
tained from beginning to end. Under False Colours is a book which will
rivet the attention, amuse the fancy, and touch the heart.
"This is a charming story, abounding in delicate touches of sentiment and pathos.Its plot is skilfully contrived. It will be read with a warm interest by every girl whotakes it up." Scots/nan.
J.M. CALLWELLA Little Irish Girl.
Illu*rated ^ H - COPPING -
2s. 6d.
An orphaned family inherit a small property on the coast of Clare. Thetwo youngest members of the party have some thrilling adventures in their
western home. They encounter seals, smugglers, and a ghost, and lastly,
by most startling means, they succeed in restoring their eldest brother to
his rightful place as heir to the ancestral estates.
"Sure to prove of thrilling interest to both boys and girls." Literary World.
E. EVERETT-GREENMiriam's Ambition, with illustrations. 2S.6<t.
Miriam's ambition is to make someone happy, and her endeavour carries
with it a train of incident, solving a mystery which had thrown a shadowover several lives. A charming foil to her grave elder sister is to be foundin Miss Babs, a small coquette of five, whose humorous child-talk is so
attractive." Miss Everett-Green's children are real British boys and girls, not small men
and women. Babs is a charming little one." Liverpool Mercury.
ELLINOR DAVENPORT ADAMSnrhrcf TWinc !
With a Frontispiece and 28 Illustra-
tions by S. B. PEARCE. 2s. M.
Two little rogues are the twins, Horatio and Tommy; but loyal-heartedand generous to boot, and determined to resist the stern decree of their
aunt that they shall forsake the company of their scapegrace grown-upcousin Algy. So they deliberately set to work to "reform" the scape-
grace ;and succeed so well that he wins back the love of his aunt.
(24)
Blackie & Son's
Illustrated Books for Children
CHARLES ROBINSON WALTERJERROLD
The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes.Selected and edited by WALTER JERROLD. With nearly 400 Il-
lustrations in Colour or Black-and-White by CHARLES ROBINSON.
Large 4to, cloth elegant, gilt edges, js. 6d. net.
This beautiful volume, in which Mr. Charles Robinson has interpretedwith delightful humour and rare artistic skill the old familiar rhymes of the
nursery, will be an unfailing source of pleasure to children of all ages.The pictures are bold, clear, and direct, as befits a book intended in thefirst place for little folk, but they exhibit at the same time a power of
draughtsmanship that will give the volume a permanent artistic value.
" This is a really magnificent gift-book for quite little okildren."
Saturday Review.
JOHN HASSALL CLIFTON BING-HAM
Six and Twenty Boys and Girls. ^^SALL
;Verses by CLIFTON BlNGHAM. 25 pages in full colour,
and 24 pages of letterpress. Picture boards, 9 inches by iiXinches, cloth back, 3.5-. 6d; also cloth elegant, $s.
Most of us know some at least of the little girls and boys portrayed byMr. Hassall in this amusing picture-book. As depicted with Mr. Hassall's
inimitable skill, and described in kumorous verse by Mr. Bingham, theymay challenge comparison with the classic Struwwelpeter. Each pictureis not only attractive and amusing in itself, but furnishes a hint of virtues
to be imitated or faults to be avoided." A most original picture-book." World.
MRS. PERCY DEARMERRoundabout Rhymes.
with 20 full:page
KIllu
f;a'
J tions in colour by Mrs.
PERCY DEARMER. Imperial 8vo, cloth extra, 2s. 6d.
A charming volume of verses and colour pictures for little folk rhymesand pictures about most of the everyday events of nursery life.
"The best verses written for children since Stevenson's Cluld's Garden"Guardian.
BLACK1ES BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
STEWART ORR JOHN BRYMERnornmon anrl ^ninarh Pictures by STEWART
Spmacn. QRR VersesbyJOHNBRYMER. Cover design and 24 pages in Full Colour. Picture
boards, cloth back, 6s.
In Gammon and Spinacfr Mr. Stewart Orr has produced a picture-book
unique of its kind. Nothing could be more droll than the situations in
which he represents the frog, the pig, the mouse, the elephant, and the
other well-known characters who appear in his pages. Little folk will
find in these pictures a source of endless delight, and the artistic skill
which they display will have a special appeal to children of an older
growth.
"Merry and handsome enough to make thousands of friends among little folk,what with its original verses and its amusing pictures." Literary World.
"The book should attain a wiiie popularity in the nursery." Morning Post.
-Two Merry Mariners. *ictur
^ byJ ORR; Verses by
BRYMER. Cover design and 24 pages in full colour. Picture
boards, cloth back, 6s.
This delightful volume tells in picture and verse how Dick and his friend the
Hare sailed to the Downy Isle, the adventures they met with in that strange
country, their encounter with the Dragon, and their remarkable voyage home.Mr. Orr exhibits in these designs a rare combination of humorous invention
with brilliant draughtsmanship and command of colour, and the author supportshim with a series of racy verses.
"The illustrations are masterpieces of drollery." Manchester Courier.
"The verses are very funny and original." World.
FRED SMITHThe Animal Book. *
J?
at
^i ^T7?*
Li!
tle
Folk. With a Coloured Frontis-
piece and 34 full-page Illustrations by F. SPECHT. Crown quarto,
1 1X inches by 9^ inches, picture boards, cloth back, 2s. 6d.
This book consists of a series of bright and instructive sketches of the
better-known wild beasts, describing their appearance, character and habits,and the position they hold in the animal kingdom. The text is printed in
a large, clear type, and is admirably illustrated with powerful, realistic
pictures of the various creatures in their native state by that eminent animalartist F. Specht.
"A work of th greatest value to the young.'' Eastern Morning Newt.
(61
BLACKI&S BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
H. B. NEILSON CLIFTON BING-HAM
The Animals' Academy. ^ r ^^and many Black-and-white Vignettes. Picture-boards, cloth back,
y. 6d. ; cloth, $s.
In. The Animals' Academy Mr.;
;Neilsori and Mr.. Bingham have againcombined their forces, and have turned out a picture-book which for fun
and variety will be difficult to equal. In bright, musical, "catchy" verse
Mr. Bingham tells of the many amusing events that take place at a school
in which the elephant is master and other well - known animals are the
scholars, and Mr. Nejlson illustrates the story as only he can illustrate
animal frolics.
" A humorous, clever, and delightful book. The pictures of the dressed-up animalswill captivate little children." British Weekly.
H. B. NEILSONTollv Tumbo By H ' B< NEILSON - With 24 full-page
J j J'
Colour Illustrations and 48 Vignettes.
Picture boards, y. 6d.; cloth, $s.
Many long nights of fun and laughter are in store for the children whoare lucky enough to be presented with a copy of Jolly Jumbo, which is
decidedly the best book Mr. Neilson has yet produced. It consists of a
number of amusing incidents, such as "A Day in the Country", "Fun at
the Sea-side", "Uncle's Dance", "The Pussy-Cat Hunt", "Tobacco
Smoke", &c., in which well-known animals are the actors.
" The pictures explain themselves so clearly that the tiniest tot cannot fail to under-stand their meaning and enjoy the fun." Glasgow Herald.
" Mr. Neilson has a positive genius for making animals comic." Academy."Children will revel in his work." Daily Graphic.
S. R. PRAEGERHow They Went to School. with *4
J ae ictu
ful1"
page pictures in
full colour. Picture-boards, cloth back, 2s. 6d.; cloth ex.tra, y. 6d.
A pretty picture-book for the little ones, full of quiet humour and shrewdobservation of child life. The book tells in picture and story how Haland Kitty, two tiny scholars, set out on their way to school, and thevarious adventures that happen to them on the road.
"Quite the most charming book we have yet seen." Daily Ntws.
BLACKI&S BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
OUR DARLING'S FIRST BOOK
Bright Pictures and Easy Lessons for
T if-l-1^ T?^1k Quarto, ioy$ inches by 7^ inches, pictureJ-/1LL1C JL IJ1JS.. ij i .1 -I. ,
boards, is.; cloth, gilt edges, 2s.
An interesting and instructive picture lesson-book for very little folk.
Beginning with an illustrated alphabet of large letters, the little reader goesforward by easy stages to word-making, reading, counting, writing, and
finally to the most popular nursery rhymes and tales.
"The very perfection of a child's alphabet and spelling-book." St. James's Budget.
HELEN STRATTONGrimm's Fairy Tales.
With 32 colour piatesandJ many Black-and-white
Illustrations by HELEN STRATTON. Large crown 8vo, $s.
For children who are acquiring facility in reading, there can be no better
gift-book than a full edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales. This new volume is
printed in a good clear type, profusely illustrated with drawings by MissHelen Stratton, and well bound in a strong handsome cover. It is anedition which will invite children to read, and which, when they have
grown up, they will cherish as the greatest treasure on their book-shelves." This is a particularly handsome edition. Miss Helen Stratton's illustrations have
simplicity, humour, and the atmosphere of fairy and magic, so that they are a never-
failing source o/ interest and amusement." Educational News.
A. B. ROMNEYLittle Village Folk with 37 Illustrations by ROBERT
o '
HOPE. 2s. 6d.
A series of delightful stories of Irish village children. Miss Romneyopens up a new field in these beautiful little tales, which have the twofold
charm of humour and poetic feeling." A story-book that will be welcomed wherever it makes its way." Literary World.
MY NEW STORY-BOOKStories, Verses, and Pictures for the
T iffIP On PS 29 Pa&es>f which 4-8 are in colour. Cloth,
'
2s. 6d.
A treasury of entertainment for the nursery. The contents are extremelyvaried both as regards the text and the illustrations, and carefully designedto meet the tastes of the little ones. The many bright colour pictures will
be in themselves a never-failing source of delight." A fascinating little volume, well filled with stories and quaint and pretty illus-
trations." Guardian.
(28)
BLACRIE'S BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
STORIES BY GEORGE MAC DONALD(NEW AND UNIFORM EDITION)
with I2 Pa^e Illustrations b>'w-
PARKINSON Crown 8v0) cloth
elegant, 3^. 6d.
Clare, the hero of the story, is a boy whose mother is killed at his side byth'. fall of a church during an earthquake. The kindly clergyman and his
wife, who adopt him, die while he is still very young, and he is thrown uponthe world a second time. The narrative of his wanderings is full of interest
and novelty, the boy's unswerving honesty and his passion for children andanimals leading him into all sorts of adventures. He works on a. farm, sup-
ports a baby in an old deserted house, finds employment in a menagerie,becomes a bank clerk, is kidnapped, and ultimately discovers his father onboard the ship to which he has been conveyed.
At the Back of the North Wind.tIllustra-
tions by ARTHUR HUGHES, and a Frontispiece by LAURENCE Hous-MAN. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, y. 6d.
"In At the Back of the North Wind we stand with ore foot in fairyland and one on
common earth. The story is thoroughly original, full of fancy and pathos." The Times.
Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood.with 36iu-
,' trations byARTHUR HUGHES. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, y. 6d.
" Dr. Mac Donald has a real understanding of boy nature, and he has in consequencewritten a capital story, judged from their stand-point, wkh a true ring all through whichensures its success. "- The Spectator.
The Princess and the Goblin.t
withK3
AIllustra'
tions by ARTHURHUGHES, and a Frontispiece by LAURENCE HOUSMAN. Crown 8vo,
cloth elegant, 3^. 6d.
In the sphere of fantasy George Mac Donald has very few equals, and his
rare touch of many aspects of life invariably gives to his stories a deeper mean-
ing of the highest value. His Princess and Goblin exemplifies both gifts. Afine thread of allegory runs through the narrative of the adventures of the
young miner, who, amongst other marvellous experiences, finds his way into
the caverns of the gnomes, and achieves a final victory over them.
The Princess and Curdie. with Frontispiece and
30 Illustrations byHELEN STRATTON. Crown 8vo, cloth elegant, y. 6d.
A sequel to The Princess and the Goblin, tracing the history of the youngminer and the princess after the return of the latter to her father's court, where
terrible foes have to be encountered than the grotesque earth-dwellers.
BLACKI&S BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
NEW "GRADUATED" SERIESWith colouredfrontispiece and black-and-white illustrations
"M"O child of six or seven should have any difficulty in reading1 and
understanding1 unaided the pretty stories in the 6d. series. In the
9<f. series the language used is slightly rnore advanced, but is well within
the capacity of children of seven and upwards, while the is. series is de-
signed for little folk of somewhat greater attainments. If the stories are
read to and not by children, it will be found that the 6d. gd. and is. seres
are equally suitable for little folk of all ages.
"GRADUATED" STORIES AT A SHILLING
Holidays at Sunnycroft. By ANNIE S. SWAN. New Edition.
At Lathom's Siege. By SARAH TYTLER.Fleckie. By BESSIE MARCHANT.Elsie Wins. By ELLINOR DAVENPORT ADAMS.Bears and Dacotts. By G. A. HENTY.
- Crusoes of the Frozen North. By Dr. GORDON STABLES.
A Saxon Maid. By ELIZA F. POLLARD.Uncle Bob. By MEREDITH FLETCHER.Tack of Both Sides. By FLORENCE COOMBE.Do Your Dutyl By G. A. HENTY.
Terry. By ROSA MULHOLLAND (Lady Gilbert).
Gipsy Dick. By Mrs. HENRY CLARKE.Two to One. By FLORENCE COOMBE.Cherrythorpe Fair. By MABEL MACKNESS.Little Greycoat. By ELLINOR DAVENPORT ADAMS.
Tommy's Trek. By BESSIE MARCHANT.That Boy Jim. Bv Mrs. HENRY CLARKE.The Adventures of Carlo. By KATHARINE TYNAN.The Shoeblack's Cat. l*y W. L. ROOFER.Three Troublesome Monkeys. By A. B. ROMNEY.The Little Red Purse. By JENNIE CHAPPELL.
,"GRADUATED" STORIES AT SIXPENCE
-Hi-Turn, Ti-Tum, and Scrub. By JENNIE CHAPPELL.J Edie's Adventures. By GERALDINE MOCKLER.Two Little Crusoes. By A. B. ROMNEY.The Lost Dolt By JENNIE CHAPPELL.
Bunny and Furry. By GERALDINE MOCKLER.Bravest of All. By MABEL MACKNESS.Winnie's White Frock. By JENNIE CHAPPELL.Lost Toby. By M. S. HAYCRAFT.A Boy Cousin. By GERALDINE MOCKLER.Travels of Fuzz and Buzz. By GERALDINE MOCKLER.
Teddy's Adventures. By Mrs. HENRY CLARKE.(3
NEW CHILDREN'S PICTURE-BOOKS
Nursery Series by JoHn HassallMessrs. Blackie & Son, Limited, have pleasure in announcing a new
series of coloured picture-books, comprising the old nursery rhymesand stories, illustrated by Mr. John Hassall. In Nurseryland Mr.
John Hassall bids fair to occupy the place held in an earlier genera-tion by Randolph Caldecott. His vigour of treatment, his power of
eliminating unnecessary detail, and the rare vein of humour that runs
through all his work, have never been more admirably combined thanin these delightful toy-books, whjch it is confidently believed are des-
tined to have an enduring place in the affections of little folk.
THREE-AND-SIX SERIESPicture boards, cloth back, \\Yz inches by 9 inches
The Old Nursery Stories and RhymesIllustrated in colour from cover to cover.- Contains the favourite
stories of the nursery Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty,&c., and the most popular nursery rhymes. Also in oloth, 55.
ONE SHILLING SERIES
Picture boards, cloth back, n}4 inches by 9 inches
Favourite Nursery TalesThe Dear Old Nursery Tal^s
My Book of Nursery RhymesEach book contains thirty colour pictures, including two double-page
designs, and is bound in an attractively-coloured cover.
SIXPENNY SERIES
Limp boards, 11% inches by 8^ inches
Red Riding HoodCinderella
Sleeping Beauty ,.
Puss in Boots
Humpty DumptyLittle Jack Horner
Every page ha's a colour picture. In the centre of the book is a
large double-page design. The text is printed in very bold type.
BLACKIE'S PICTURE BOOKS
Hans Andersen's Fairy TalesIn this beautiful series of picture-books the best of these fairy tales
are given. The text is printed on good paper in a large and clear
type, and the many illustrations in colour and in black-and-white are
by Miss HELEN STRATTON.
HALF-CROWN 5ERIESPicture boards, l$)4 inches by IO inches
Hans Andersen's Fairy TalesThis handsome volume contains a large selection of the most popu-
lar stories by Hans Christian Andersen. The cover and no fewer
than thirty pages are in full colour. Also in cloth, 35. 6d.
ONE SHILLING SERIESPicture boards, 1^/4 inches by IO inches
The Ugly Duckling |
The Wild SwansThe Tinder Box
A whole volume is devoted to<? The Wild Swans", the most beautiful
of all Hans Andersen's stories. Each of the other two volumes contains
several of the most popular of the tales.
.Animal Picture-BooKsThis is certainly the best series of Animal Picture-books published
at the price. The pictures, which are all drawn by eminent artists,will form an endless source of pleasure to little folks. The text is
written in very simple language.
ONE SHILLING SERIESPicture-boards. Quarto, lO l
/% inches by 7J^ inches
True Stories About AnimalsA Picture-Book of Animals
These bright and attractive volumes contain over thirty full-pagedrawings, and a number of smaller illustrations. The cover andabout twenty pages are in colour. Also in cloth, gilt edges, 2s.
SIXPENNY SERIESPicture-boards. Quarto, loy& inches by 7%" inches
True Tales of Animal LifeTrue Stories of Bird and BeastMy Book of Animal Stories
Talks ajbout AnimalsAnimals of All LandsMy Book of Animals
Each contains seven or eight pages m colour and many black-and-white illustrations. The covers, also in colour, are very attractive.